Lecture: The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Division of the Roman Empire

• Roman Empire split into Western and Eastern halves.
• Tetrarchy divided it even further.
• Western half declined rapidly during the 400s.
• By 476 CE, the Western Roman Empire was no more.

Barbarian Pressure and Migration

• Germanic tribes pressured Rome since the Republic era.
• Known sources about Germans mainly from Tacitus.
• Tribes referred to as Goths or Barbarians.
• Barbarian migrations increased over time due to external pressures.
• Huns (displaced by Chinese) moved west, causing a domino effect of migrations.
• Roman strategy to keep barbarians out included firm borders and limited expansion.

The Visigoths

• Fleed the Huns, settled in Eastern Roman lands in 376 CE.
• Mistreatment by Romans led to a revolt.
• Won the Battle of Adrianople in 378 CE, defeating the Eastern Roman Army.
• Eastern Romans paid Visigoths to leave and rampage in the Western Empire.
• Sacked Rome in 410 CE, demanded and took wealth.

Rise of the Huns

• Led by Attila the Hun, known for their nomadic, horseback culture.
• Attila invaded the Eastern Empire but couldn't capture Constantinople.
• West paid Attila yearly tribute to avoid further invasions.
• Attila invaded Gaul (modern-day France), faced Western Roman and Germanic tribes.
• Battle of Chalons (451 CE) - outcome unknown, Attila retreated.
• Attila invaded Northern Italy in 452 CE, reached Rome, but retreated and died in 453 CE.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

• Official end in 476 CE, when Ostrogoths deposed the emperor.
• Ostrogoths took over rule, marking the end of the traditional Roman Empire.

Factors Leading to the Fall

1. Christianity: Believed to soften military resolve, focusing on conversion over military conquest.
2. Economic Strain: Never fully recovered from the 3rd-century crisis.
3. Poor Leadership: Few competent leaders after Marcus Aurelius; excessive taxation and corruption.
4. Concentration of Power: Centralization of power in the role of emperor led to issues.
5. Outside Pressures: Continuous invasions and military/economic strain.
6. Germanic Influence: Inclusion of Germanic soldiers weakened the Roman military structure.
7. Empire Split: Eastern wealth and stability contrasted with Western struggles.

Transition to Byzantine Empire

• The Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, continued after the fall of the West.
• Further exploration of the Byzantine Empire to be covered in the next lecture.