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Fall of the Western Roman Empire

The first division of the Roman Empire took place in 285 AD when Maximian became the ruler of the western part of the Empire under the Tetrarchy system. After this division, different emperors made several attempts to reunite the empire, but the efforts could only get limited success. Theodosius I was the last Roman Emperor to rule (392 to 395 AD) the whole Roman Empire. In 395 AD, the Roman Empire divided permanently, and Honorius became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire. In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire collapsed after the Fall of Ravenna at the hands of Germanic leader Odoacer, who became the first King of Italy.

Events Leading to the Fall of the Western Roman Empire

The first battle between the Goths and Eastern Roman Empire was fought in 376 after the Goths migrated over the Danube. The Goths remained successful in the Battle of Marcianople (376).

The battle of Adrianople is known as the first major event for the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The battle was fought between Gothic rebels and the Eastern Roman Empire on 9th August 378 at a location close to Adrianople (now in European Turkey). The battle ended with victory for the Gothic tribes and the murder of Roman Emperor Valens.


In 380 AD, the Goths again defeated the Eastern Roman Empire in the Battle of Thessalonica near Macedonia. 

On 31st December 406 (or 405), the Germanic tribes of Vandals, Suebi, and Alans crossed the Rhine. It is famous as a significant event in the decline of the Western Roman Empire. These barbaric tribes started to destroy and plunder the Roman cities of Gaul soon after their migration. While crossing the Rhine, the Vandals defeated Franks in the Battle of Mainz (406).

On 24th August 410 AD, Rome came under the occupation of the Visigoths. Sack of Rome is also known as a major landmark in the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

After a few victories between 419 and 451 AD, the Western Roman Empire suffered another humiliating defeat in 452 against the Hun Confederation, which resulted in the sack of Aquileia.

Rome was once again sacked in 455 AD, this time by Vandals.

In 468 AD, the combined forces of the Eastern and Western Roman Empire invaded Vandal’s capital Carthage (now in Tunisia), with more than 1,00,000 men and 1,000 ships to take revenge on the Sack of Rome (455). But the Romans suffered a comprehensive defeat in the Battle of Cap Bon. During this military engagement, they lost around 70,000 men and 700 ships. 

The battle of Ravenna was fought on 2nd September 476 AD between the Western Roman Empire and their mercenary army of Heruli (an eastern Germanic tribe). This battle proved decisive as the Heruli captured the Western Roman Empire’s capital Ravenna and their leader Odoacer became the King of Italy. This battle marked the end of the Western Roman Empire. 
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  1. Maheen Sehar11 November 2015 at 21:16

    Good Writing Mr yasir , .Very Unique information I have read there , but you wrote in a very conjusted way.

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