The Roman Empire's Continued Existence

Study Notes

The Roman Empire did not fall in 476 CE

The Western Roman Empire was weakened by its poor economy and Germanic invasions.
The Roman Empire did not fall in 476 CE, instead the Western Roman Empire collapsed while the Eastern Roman Empire continued to exist for another 1,000 years.

The Decline of the Roman Empire

After 180 CE, the Roman Empire faced significant challenges, relying more on non-Roman soldiers.
Germanic tribes invaded from the north, and the Sassanid Persians invaded from the east.
Internal disagreements further weakened the empire.

The Division of the Roman Empire

In 284 CE, Emperor Diocletian divided the empire into two administrative halves: east and west.
In 324 CE, Emperor Constantine founded the city of Constantinople (modern Istanbul), which was a better location than Rome due to its proximity to the empire's wealthiest provinces.
Initially, the split was administrative to improve governance, but the two halves became increasingly independent.

The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

In 476 CE, Germanic general Odoacer overthrew the last Western Roman emperor.
The Western Empire crumbled as Germanic tribes seized territory and the empire collapsed from within.

The Continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire consolidated its power and even expanded its territory.
It remained a dominant force in the eastern Mediterranean for another 1,000 years.
In the sixth century, the Eastern Roman Empire reconquered the Italian Peninsula.
The Eastern Roman Empire is often referred to as the "Byzantine Empire," but its inhabitants considered themselves Romans.
The Eastern Romans remained the most powerful state in the Mediterranean world for centuries after the supposed “fall of Rome".

Description

Explore the complexities surrounding the fall of the Roman Empire. This quiz examines the factors contributing to the decline, the division into Eastern and Western Empires, and the misinterpretation of its fall in 476 CE. Test your knowledge about this pivotal period in history!