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During this time, Marcus Aurelius died. His son, Commodus, became emperor.
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The emperor's bodyguard killed him. After Commodus, emperors called the Severans ruled Rome.
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Rome's economy began to fall apart.
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When the last Severan ruler died, Rome's government became very weak.
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A general named Diocletian became emperor. He divided it into four parts and named officials to rule these areas but kept authority over all.
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The Huns entered the Eastern Europe and defeated the Ostrogoths.
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Diocletian retired from office
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Another general named Constantine became emperor.
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When Constantine died, fighting broke out again. A new emperor called Theodosius finally gained control and ended the fighting.
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The Visigoths defeated the Roman legions at the Battle of Adrianople.
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The Roman Empire split into two separate empires
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In the winter, the Rhine River in Western Europe froze. Germanic groups crossed the frozen river and entered Gaul.
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The Visigoth leader Alaric and his soldiers captured Rome itself.
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The Vandals entered Rome
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The Western Roman Empire had faded away.
