The fall of the Roman Empire is generally marked by the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, which is conventionally dated to September 4, 476 AD. This is when the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic warlord Odoacer, who then declared himself king of Italy and returned the imperial insignia to the Eastern Roman Emperor in Constantinople. This event symbolizes the end of centralized Roman rule in the West.
However, some historians consider earlier and later dates as significant markers in the decline. For example, the sack of Rome by the Visigoths on August 24, 410 AD, is seen by some as a decisive blow to the Empire, being the first sack of Rome in nearly 800 years. Others point to the continued existence of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire), which lasted until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 AD, as marking the ultimate end of the Roman Empire.
In summary:
- Sack of Rome: August 24, 410 AD
- Conventional fall of Western Roman Empire: September 4, 476 AD
- Fall of Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire): 1453 AD
The most commonly accepted date for the fall of the Roman Empire in the West is 476 AD with the deposition of Romulus Augustulus.
