Western Roman Empire

The Western Roman Empire was the western part of the old Roman Empire when it was ruled separately from the eastern part. This split happened in the year 395 between two sons of Emperor Theodosius I. The western part was ruled from cities like Mediolanum and later Ravenna, while the eastern part was ruled from Constantinople.

The Western Roman Empire had many problems, including attacks from outside groups. In 476, the western emperor Romulus Augustulus was forced to give up his position, and a leader named Odoacer took control of Italy. This event is often seen as the end of the Western Roman Empire, marking the start of a new time called the Middle Ages.

Even after this, the eastern part of the Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, tried to take back some western lands. Emperor Justinian I took back areas such as North Africa, Italy, and parts of Hispania. However, keeping these areas was hard due to problems and new attacks. Over time, the influence of the eastern empire in western Europe grew weaker.

As the old Roman Empire faded in the west, new leaders emerged. In the year 800, the Frankish king Charlemagne was crowned as Roman Emperor by the pope, starting what later became known as the Holy Roman Empire. This new empire was different from the old Roman Empire and had its own traditions and rules.

Background

Further information: History of the Roman Empire and First division of the Roman Empire

As the Roman Republic grew, it became hard for leaders in Rome to manage places far away. Travel and communication were difficult, so leaders in distant areas often made their own decisions. Governors had many jobs, like leading armies, collecting taxes, and taking care of their areas.

Before the Empire began, lands were shared among three leaders. One got lands in the east, including parts of modern-day Greece, Turkey, and Syria. Another got western lands, like Italy, France, and Spain. A third got a smaller area in northern Africa. Later, one leader took control of all these lands.

Even though the lands had different cultures, they worked together. But over time, problems like wars and leadership fights caused the empire to split into eastern and western parts. Leaders sometimes ruled together, but these plans often failed. The empire faced attacks from outside groups and inner fights for power.

History

Reign of Honorius

Honorius was the younger son of Theodosius I. He became co-emperor at age 9 in 393 and inherited the Western Roman throne at age 10 when his father died. The capital moved from Mediolanum to Ravenna in 401 for better defense. The Western Empire had many problems during his reign, including invasions and internal conflicts.

Gold solidus of Honorius

Escalating barbarian conflicts

After Honorius died in 423, the Western Empire faced more difficulties. A new emperor, Valentinian III, was installed with help from the Eastern Roman Empire. The military situation improved somewhat under the leadership of Aetius, who used allies to defend against invasions.

Barbarian invasions and the invasion of usurper Constantine III in the Western Roman Empire during the reign of Honorius, 407–409

Pressure from outside groups led to the Vandal conquest of wealthy African provinces in 439. This caused economic problems for the Western Empire. Aetius tried to organize a counterattack but had to focus on defending against the Huns, who became a major threat under their leader Attila. Aetius gathered forces and stopped Attila from taking the city of Aurelianum. Though Attila invaded Italy in 452, negotiations and other factors caused him to retreat.

Internal unrest and Majorian

Valentinian III had Aetius killed and was later killed himself. This led to unrest and the proclamation of new emperors. One new emperor, Majorian, tried to strengthen the military and reclaim lost territories. He lost his fleet before he could attack the Vandals in Africa. Majorian was later deposed and killed.

Germanic and Hunnic invasions of the Roman Empire, AD 100–500

Collapse

The Western Empire weakened, with emperors often controlled by military leaders. One such leader, Ricimer, placed puppet emperors on the throne. The last of these, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed in 476 by Odoacer, a leader of mixed-culture soldiers in Italy. This event is often seen as the end of the Western Roman Empire.

Fall of the Empire

The deposition of Romulus Augustulus in 476 is commonly seen as the end of the Western Roman Empire. However, the previous emperor, Julius Nepos, continued to claim the title from Dalmatia until his death in 480. The Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno then ruled the entire Roman Empire as a single entity. Despite the end of the Western Empire, many Roman administrative practices continued under new rulers, and Roman cultural traditions persisted for centuries.

Political aftermath

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, new kingdoms formed by Germanic groups grew. These new kingdoms marked the shift from ancient Roman times to the Middle Ages. In places like Gaul and Italy, the new rulers often kept using Roman systems and ideas.

Some areas stayed under Roman control even after the Western Empire ended. A small state in Northern Gaul, called the Domain of Soissons, lasted until it was taken over by the Franks. The Franks later became a major power in the region. Over time, the Frankish Kingdom split into what would become France and Germany.

Map of the barbarian kingdoms (major kingdoms and the Roman Empire labelled below) of the western Mediterranean in 526, seven years before the campaigns of reconquest under Eastern emperor Justinian I The Roman Empire under Justinian The Vandal Kingdom The Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy The Visigothic Kingdom The Frankish Kingdom

In Italy, Odoacer took control after the last Western Roman emperor left. He ruled using Roman ways and even used the name of the Roman emperor on coins. Later, a leader named Theoderic took over and mixed Roman and Gothic traditions. His rule helped keep some Roman traditions alive.

The Eastern Roman Empire, also called the Byzantine Empire, tried to bring back control over lost lands. Emperor Justinian led successful campaigns to reclaim parts of North Africa and Italy. These efforts brought Roman rule back to some areas for a time, though the lands faced hard times after wars and diseases.

Over the next few centuries, the focus of the Eastern Empire shifted, and control over Western Europe slowly faded. New kingdoms, like the Lombards in Italy and the Visigoths in Spain, took over. By the middle of the second millennium, the Western Roman Empire was just a memory, but its influence continued through the cultures and systems that followed.

Legacy

Further information: Legacy of the Roman Empire, Romance languages, Corpus Juris Civilis, Civil law (legal system), Latin alphabet, Literature, Bust (sculpture), Concrete, and Cities

When the Western Roman Empire ended, the new leaders kept many Roman laws and customs. Many of these leaders were Christians, which helped them get along with the local people. They used Roman law a lot, and this law helped shape many legal systems today.

Latin did not disappear. It mixed with other languages to create new ones like Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. These languages are spoken by many people today. Latin is still used in the Catholic Church and in areas like medicine and law.

The Catholic Church became very important after the Western Roman Empire fell. Church leaders helped keep order and even made agreements to keep Rome safe. Over time, much of Western Europe became Catholic and followed the Pope as their leader.

The Roman Senate lasted for a while after the empire fell, but it eventually disappeared. The building where they met became a church.

List of Western Roman emperors

With junior colleagues and heirs are listed below the reign of each emperor.

Tetrarchy (286–313)

Main article: Tetrarchy

Maximian: 286–305
- Constantius I: 293–305

Maximian was made emperor by Diocletian in 285. He became Western emperor in 286, with the start of the Tetrarchy. In 305, both Maximian and Diocletian stepped down, leaving Constantius and Galerius as emperors.

Constantius I: 305–306
- Severus II: 305–306

Constantius became Western emperor in 305, after Maximian stepped down. He died in 306, leaving a contested succession.

Severus II: 306–307
- Constantine I: 306–307

Severus became Western emperor after Constantius died in 306. He faced a revolt by Maxentius, who captured the Western Empire in 307 and had Severus killed.

Maxentius: 306–312
- Maximian: 306–308 (Second reign)

Maxentius became emperor in 306 and ruled with his father Maximian. They captured the Western Empire in 307 and killed Severus. In 312, Constantine defeated Maxentius, who drowned when his forces were pushed into the Tiber river.

Licinius: 308–313
- Valens I: 317 (Titular emperor of the West, ruled only in the East)
- Martinian: 324 (Titular emperor of the West, ruled only in the East)

Licinius became emperor of parts of the Western Empire in 308. Constantine took control in 313, and Licinius lost his claim to the West. He tried to replace Constantine with others but they were killed.

Constantinian dynasty (309–363)

Main article: Constantinian dynasty

Constantine I: 306–337 (Sole emperor: 324–337).
- Crispus: 317–326

Constantine became Western emperor in 306 and ruled alone from 312. He became the sole Roman emperor after defeating Licinius.

Constantine II 337–340 (Emperor of Gaul, Britannia and Hispania: 337–340).

Constantine II became emperor in 337. In 340, he invaded Italy but was killed by forces loyal to his brother Constans.

Constans I 337–350 (Emperor of Italy and Africa: 337–340, Western emperor: 340–350).

Constans took control of the Western Empire in 340 after Constantine II's death. In 350, he was captured and killed by a rival leader.

Magnentius 350–353 (Not recognized in the East)
- Vetranio: 350 (Rival emperor; recognized by Constantius II)
- Nepotianus: 350 (Rival emperor; recognized by the Roman Senate)

Magnentius was defeated by Constantius II in 351 but continued to rule until 353.

Constantius II 351–361 (Eastern emperor: 337–351, Sole emperor: 351–361).
- Constantius Gallus: 351–354
- Julian: 355–361

Constantius became Eastern emperor in 337 and sole emperor in 351 after defeating Magnentius. He died in 361.

Julian: 361–363 (Sole emperor).

Julian became emperor in 361 and died in 363 from wounds in battle.

Non-dynastic (363–364)

Jovian: 363–364 (Sole emperor).

After Julian's death in 363, Jovian was chosen as emperor. He ruled for seven months and made a peace agreement with the Sasanian Empire.

Valentinianic dynasty (364–392)

Main article: Valentinianic dynasty

Valentinian I: 364–375
- Gratian: 367–375

Valentinian became emperor in 364 and ruled the West. He spent much of his time defending against attacks.

Gratian: 375–383
- Valentinian II: 375–383

After Valentinian I's death, his son Gratian became emperor. In 383, he was killed after being defeated by another leader.

Valentinian II: 383–392

Valentinian II became emperor after Gratian's death. He was later killed.

Magnus Maximus: 383–388
- Victor: 383/384–388

Magnus Maximus became emperor in 383 and was later defeated and killed.

Theodosian dynasty (392–455)

Main article: Theodosian dynasty

Theodosius I: 394–395 (Eastern emperor: 379–394, sole emperor: 394–395)

Theodosius became Eastern emperor in 379 and sole emperor in 394. He died in 395.

Honorius: 395–423
- Constantine III: 409–411 (Not recognized by Eastern emperor but recognized by Honorius; accepted by the Senate)
  - Constans II: 409–411 (Not recognized by Honorius and Eastern emperor; recognized only by Constantine III; not accepted by the Senate)
- Priscus Attalus: 409–410 (Not recognized by Honorius and Eastern emperor; accepted by the Senate)
- Constantius III: 421

Honorius became Western emperor in 395. His reign saw many challenges, including attacks from other leaders.