The Fall of Rome- End of Roman Empire

Friday, May 14, 2010

The article “Fall of Rome- End of the Roman Empire” by N.S. Gill not only discusses the reasons why the empire fell, but also the exact time when it fell. The article says that there are two dates when Rome could have fell; first in 1453 when the Ottoman Turks took over Constantinople or in 476 when Odoacer, a Germanic leader in the Roman army, conquered the Western empire. Since Rome became so large it was split into two sections the Eastern and Western Roman empires, and that is where the controversy begins with when and why Rome fell. Odoacer conquered the western empire and was the first barbarian king of the Western empire therefore technically ending part of the empire. Gill claims, “While this bloodless coup in 476 is a frequently accepted date for the Fall of Rome and the beginning of the Middle Ages, it was not, at the time, a major turning point.” (Gill). This is one of the major controversies over why Rome fell which actually lies in the question when Rome fell.
I believe that the true end to the Roman Empire was in 476 when the barbarians like Odoacer began to take over the Roman Empire. Although the Eastern Empire remained for many more years I don’t truly see it as Roman because the heart of the Empire was in Rome which was in the Western Empire. Also after Odoacer took over many of the same Roman customs and rituals were no longer practiced in the Eastern or Western Empires. I believe that after the barbarians began to run the Empire it could truly no longer be called the Roman Empire.
Gill, N.S. "Fall of Rome- End of the Roman Empire." Ancient Classical History n. pag. Web. 31 Mar 2010.