LääneRooma

LääneRooma, or the Western Roman Empire, was the western half of the Roman Empire that persisted after the empire was divided into Western and Eastern halves. Its traditional date of fall is 476 AD, when the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. The Eastern Roman Empire, later known as the Byzantine Empire, continued for nearly another thousand years.

The division of the Roman Empire became more formalized in 395 AD following the death of Emperor Theodosius I. The Western Roman Empire faced numerous challenges during its existence, including economic instability, political corruption, and increasing pressure from migrating Germanic tribes. These tribes, such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks, often crossed the empire's borders, sometimes as raiders, other times seeking to settle within its territories.

Major events contributing to the Western Roman Empire's decline include the Sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD and by the Vandals in 455 AD. These events, while not immediately leading to the empire's collapse, severely weakened its authority and prestige. Internal strife and a series of weak emperors also played a significant role in its disintegration.

The fall of LääneRooma is considered a pivotal moment in European history, marking the end of classical antiquity and the beginning of the Middle Ages. While the imperial administration collapsed in the west, Roman culture, law, and language continued to influence the successor kingdoms that emerged. The legacy of LääneRooma remains profound, shaping much of Western civilization.