On This Day

Flavius Constantine becomes Co-Emperor as Emperor Constantius III of the Western Roman Empire with Honorius

In modern historiography, the Western Roman Empire was the Roman Empire's western provinces collectively during any period in which they were administered separately from the eastern provinces by a...

In modern historiography, the Western Roman Empire was the Roman Empire's western provinces collectively during any period in which they were administered separately from the eastern provinces by a separate, independent imperial court. Particularly during the period from AD 395 to 476, there were separate, coequal courts dividing the governance of the empire into western and eastern provinces with a distinct imperial succession in the separate courts. The terms Western Roman Empire and Eastern Roman Empire were coined in modern times to describe political entities that were de facto independent; contemporary Romans did not consider the Empire to have been split into two empires but viewed it as a single polity governed by two imperial courts for administrative purposes.

Historical Significance

In modern historiography, the Western Roman Empire was the Roman Empire's western provinces collectively during any period in which they were administered separately from the eastern provinces by a separate, independent imperial court.

Events Before

  1. Saint Zosimus begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Saint Zosimus begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  2. Jews are excluded from public office in the Roman Empire

    Jews are excluded from public office in the Roman Empire

  3. [Etalius] begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    [Etalius] begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  4. St Boniface I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Boniface I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  5. Antipope Eulalius loses to Pope Boniface I after both were elected in a dual election and becomes bishop of Napete

    Antipope Eulalius loses to Pope Boniface I after both were elected in a dual election and becomes bishop of Napete

Events After

  1. Saint Boniface I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Saint Boniface I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

  2. St. Celestine I begins his reign as the Catholic Pope

    St. Celestine I begins his reign as the Catholic Pope

  3. Valentinian III is elevated to Roman Emperor, at the age of 6

    Valentinian II (Latin: Valentinianus; 371 – 15 May 392) was a Roman emperor in the western part of the Roman Empire between AD 375 and 392.

  4. Council of Ephesus (3rd ecumenical council) opens to settle dispute between Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople and Cyri

    Council of Ephesus (3rd ecumenical council) opens to settle dispute between Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople and Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria

More from the 420s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 8, 421?
In modern historiography, the Western Roman Empire was the Roman Empire's western provinces collectively during any period in which they were administered separately from the eastern provinces by a separate, independent imperial court. Particularly during the period from AD 395 to 476, there were separate, coequal courts dividing the governance of the empire into western and eastern provinces with a distinct imperial succession in the separate courts. The terms Western Roman Empire and Eastern Roman Empire were coined in modern times to describe political entities that were de facto independent; contemporary Romans did not consider the Empire to have been split into two empires but viewed it as a single polity governed by two imperial courts for administrative purposes.
Why is Flavius Constantine becomes Co-Emperor as Emperor Constantius III of the West... significant?
In modern historiography, the Western Roman Empire was the Roman Empire's western provinces collectively during any period in which they were administered separately from the eastern provinces by a separate, independent imperial court.

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