The End of the Western Empire

1. The Transformation of the Western Roman World, 400- 1000

a. Christianity and New Peoples

During the early Middle Ages, cultural, economic, religious, and demographic change issued in a crucial geo-political shift: the geo-political center of the area we now call Europe shifted from the Mediterranean to the North.

b. The Fall of the Western Empire

C4th, Huns migrate west, pushing Germanic peoples including Goths and Vandals onto Roman territory. Emperors allow "barbarians" permanent settlement.

Emperor Theodosius, last ruler of a united Roman Empire (d.395)

395, Empire divided between Honorius (west) and Arcadius (east). The Vandal general Stilicho appointed guardian of Honorius.

410, Rome falls to Visigothic king, Alaric. Visigoths retreat north and west after Alaric's death.

476, last Western emperor, Romulus Augustulus ("little Augustus") deposed by Hun chieftain Odacer.

493, Theodoric the Ostrogoth, with support of Eastern emperor defeats Odacer, founds kingdom of Italy.

Byzantine Re-conquest and Loss: 533, Byzantine emperor, Justinian, re-conquers N. Africa from the Vandals and, over the next 20 years, retakes Italy.

By the end of the C6th, Byzantines forced out of Italy by the Lombards.

C7th, Arabs take N. Africa from the Byzantine Empire.

Frankish Expansion in the West:

Clovis I (c.465-511), Merovingian King.

Clothar II (c.498-561).

Dagobert I (605-39).

Merovingian power declines in second half of C7th.

Pepin I (d.639), leader of Austrasian nobility.

Charles Martel (c.688-741), first of the Carolingian dynasty.

2. Aspects of Change and Continuity

i. Preservation of Roman Institutions

Sidonius Apollinaris (c. 423- 480), Gallo-Roman poet and Bishop of Clermont, son-in-law to one of the last western Roman emperors, Avitus.

ii) Persistence of Rome as a reference-point for ideals

AAn effective Goth wants to be like a Roman; only a poor Roman would want to be a Goth," Theodoric. Ostrogoths found themselves in the stories of classical legend as descendants of the Trojans. Lombard art shows the high value placed on works in the Roman style.

iii) The Decline of Urban Life in the West