Roman Empire Splits

Eastern Roman Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire, often referred to as the Byzantine Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the eastern part of the Mediterranean after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. While the traditional date for the fall of the Western Roman Empire is 476 AD, the Byzantine Empire persisted for nearly a thousand years after that, until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Map of Roman Empire Division East and West

Dissolvement of the Western Empire

Rome Ends

In 476 AD, the last Roman emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer, marking the traditionally accepted date for the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This officially marked the end of the Western Roman Empire. The primary cause of this was Roman civil war a common occurrence in its history. The Eastern Roman Empire, however, continued to thrive as the Byzantine Empire until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Fall of Constantinople

Siege of Constantinople

The fall of Constantinople, which occurred on May 29, 1453, marked the end of the Eastern Roman Empire and is considered a pivotal event in world history. Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was besieged and ultimately captured by the Ottoman Turks, led by Sultan Mehmed II.The fall of Constantinople had significant repercussions for Europe and the broader Christian world. It intensified efforts to find alternative trade routes to Asia and contributed to the Renaissance by prompting Greek scholars to flee to Western Europe, bringing with them classical knowledge and manuscripts. Additionally, it signaled the expansion of the Ottoman Empire into southeastern Europe, where it would remain a dominant force for centuries.