fall of the Western Roman Empire - the theme introduced in the historiography of one of the most influential historian Edward Gibbon (1737-1794).His monumental work "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" made the concept well-known to readers interested in the problem seriously.Although we can not say that Gibbon was the first who devoted himself to the study of when and why a colossal empire collapsed.Since the eighteenth century, many of these questions, scientists were obsessed, constantly offering new theories.As one contemporary American scholar Glenn Bauersok, the fall of the Western Roman Empire can be viewed as the archetype of the sunset any great power, therefore, as a symbol of the fears and warnings in different eras.
Some scientists believe that the split between eastern and western territories controlled by individual emperors, stimulated the decline of Rome.The eastern part became the Byzantine Empire with its capital in Constantinople, the western half focused mainly on the territory of modern Italy.Decline of the Roman Empire was represented by a continuous process lasting more than a century.Therefore, other historians prefer to say that Rome has adapted to the new conditions, and as such there was no decline.Great Rome, according to Edward Gibbon, and supporters of his assumptions, ceased to exist on September 4th 476, when Odoacer leader of the Germanic tribes (in the Roman army, he was the head-Germanic mercenaries) dethroned the last Western Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus.Romulus Augustus, most likely, had German origins.Odoacer considered Romulus is not so dangerous, that does not even bother to put him to death, but dismissed.The fall of the Western Roman Empire, testified that Rome no longer had the financial power and could not effectively control the scattered western regions, although their inhabitants continued to consider and call themselves Romans.Bloodless coup in 476 was a major turning point, brought to a close, many events and trends.
specialists who hold versions adapt to new conditions, it is believed that the empire continued to exist until 1453.Thus, the fall of the Western Roman Empire occurred when the Ottomans came to Byzantium (Constantinople).
course date with the overthrow of Romulus Augustus, adopted by Edward Gibbon is very conventional, and in fact, if you would be able to ask the people who lived in that period, they would be very surprised that historiography makes this event so important.We can also consider other important event marking the fall of the Roman Empire, as well as a combination of many factors (the appearance of the new religion of Christianity, the general crisis of the deteriorating economy, strong corruption, inflation, military problems, incompetent reign of the Emperor, and others), which led todecline.However, this date traditionally marks the end of antiquity and the beginning of the European Middle Ages.The empire in Western Europe, including the Italian and North-West Africa suffered various invasions, there is an ethnic movement, collectively called the Great Migration.In the eastern part of the border remained intact for several centuries until the Islamic conquest.
In general decay of the Roman Empire marked the cultural and political transformation, the transition to a more authoritarian form of government, the adoption of Christianity as the state religion, the rejection of the traditions and values of classical antiquity.The historiography is common to use the term "Byzantine Empire", as the receiver of the Roman Empire, and in fact it is better to talk about the succession, though, the empire of late antiquity differed from classical Rome.
