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Fall of the Western Empire

"Migration" or "Invasion"?

The Beginning of the "Dark Ages"

Replacement of a "Worn Out Society" with New Vigorous Peoples

Elements of Truth in Both Positions

Rural Romans not Very Different From

Germanic Tribes Move Southward Against the Roman Borders

Possible Factors

Deteriorating Weather / Climate

Crop Failures in North

Increased Population

The

Map

Cavalry Force

Tribes First Enter Europe ca. 370

The Hunnic Empire (370-469)

Rome's Answer: Foederati

Battle of Hadrianople (378)

Visigoths 2

Established in as Foederati

Alaric

Invades (409)

Sacks Rome (Aug. 24, 410)

Impact

Jerome, Commentary on Ezekiel

Aftermath

Latifundia vs. Political Engagement

Western Roman Empire Gradually Given Over to Germanic Tribes

Southern Gaul Granted to in 418

Task of Defending in the Hands of Germanic Generals

The End of the Western Empire

Odoacer - Leader of Ostrogothic Foederati (470)

Romulus Augustus, Last Roman Emperor in the West

Odoacer Attacks and Defeats Romulus Augustus

Declares Himself First (476)

The Germanic Kingdoms

Map

Continuity with Rome

Germans Admired and Wanted to Share in the Wealth and Civilization of Rome 3

Theodoric (454-526)

Two-Tiered Government

Similar Experiments Tried in Burgundian Kingdom

Discontinuity

Urban vs. Rural

Germanic People Are Primarily Rural

Germanic Manors and Villages

Dissolution of Roman Cities

Rule of Law vs. Personal Justice

Rome: Extensive Law Code, Court System, Standards for Evidence, Advocates

Germans: Blood Feuds, Trial by Ordeal

Tribe vs. State

New Opportunities

Emergence of the Church

Pope Gregory the Great (590-604)

Latin Christendom