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Period: 235 to 284
The Plague
The population rapidly decreased between with the outbreak of the plague. The plague was said to have killed 20 percent of the Empire's population. One of the greatest plagues was known as The Plague of Cyprian. This plague caused the population to decline, making it hard for Emperor's to raise taxes and assemble armies. -
Period: 272 to 337
Reign of Constantine
Constantine was the first Christian Emperor. A day before a fight with Maxentius, Constantine prayed to the Heavens and they miraculously beat Maxentius's army, 3 times Constantine's army. On his deathbed, he baptized many and proclaimed Jesus is the Lord. He made Christianity the official religion of Rome. -
Period: 285 to 305
Reign of Diocletian
During Diocletian reign he realized that the empire was too vast for one to rule. Rulers before him had split the empire into Western and Eastern divisions although Diocletian was the first to split the empire into four parts, known as terarchy. This system worked by having two Augustii ruling each part. They were assisted by two junior emporers called Ceasers, who eventually later replaced the Agustii. -
378
Battle of Adrianople
Beginning 378 A.D.,it marked the start of the end of Rome. Valens, the emperor of Eastern Rome, let the Visigoths, a tribe, settle along the Danube because the Huns, another tribe, was ruining them. Although, the Visgoths were not treated well.This led to a mass uprising. Valen came to fight without waiting for his nephew ruling the Western half. Due sheer mass and cavalry, the Visgoths and the Gothic tribes won. Valen was killed during the battle. -
395
The Roman Empire Splits
Theodosius 1st was the last Emperor of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. When he died in 395 AD the Roman Empire Split into 2 halves; The Eastern and Western Empire's. The Eastern Half included the city of Byzantium (Turkey/Parts of Asia). The Western Half included the city of Rome (Europe/North Africa). During this period, the city of Rome was attacked by Visigoths in 410 AD and by the Vandals in 455 AD. -
406
Crossing of the Rhine
The Rhine River was one of the Roman Empire's main boundaries. It and the Danube River formed most of the empire's northern frontier. In 406, many barbarians crossed over it onto Roman territory. Some of the barbarians that went on this expedition were the Vandals, Alans, and the Suebi. This crossing was one of the major events involved with the fall of the Roman Empire, and it resulted in the demolition in many cities and chaos between civilians. -
410
The Sack of Rome
When Rome was no longer the capital of the empire, the Sack of Rome occurred. Italy was invaded in 408, and soon after it was besieged again. Alaric, attacked, and the gates to Rome were opened by barbarians. The city was ransacked. Rome getting defeated was a rarity, and this was the first time it happened in 800 years -
450
Battle of Chalons
Rome started losing its power and grasp on the outer provinces of its empire, displaying Rome's advancing weakening. The same year the sister of an emperor offered herself to marry Attila the Hun with the Western part of the empire as her dowry. Attila the Hun accepted but wanted her shipped to him, to which the emperor refused. Attila promptly started planning for a war. He went through cities and destroyed them heartlessly. He was eventually defeated by the Visigoths. -
476
The End of Romulus Augustulus' Reign
After ruling over the shell of the once great empire. Romulus was forced to abdicate by his father. Many consider him to be the last true emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
