On This Day

Roman armies proclaim Majorian Emperor of the Western Roman Empire

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. Attila the Hun invades Italy

    Attila ( ə-TIL-ə or AT-il-ə; c. 406 – 453), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in early 453.

  2. King Gaiseric and the Vandals sack Rome, looting continues for 14 days

    King Gaiseric and the Vandals sack Rome, looting continues for 14 days

  3. Roman senator Petronius Maximus proclaimed Emperor

    The Roman emperor was the ruler and monarchical head of state of the Roman Empire, starting with the granting of the title augustus to Octavian in 27 BC.

  4. Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed emperor of the Western Roman Empire

    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...

  5. Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Roman Empire

    Ricimer was a Romanized Germanic general, who ruled the remaining territory of the Western Roman Empire from 456 after defeating Avitus, until his death in 472, with a brief interlude in which he...

Events After

  1. K'an Ak (Precious Peccary) ascends to the throne of the Maya city of Tikal as its twelfth ruler, succeeding his father S

    K'an Ak (Precious Peccary) ascends to the throne of the Maya city of Tikal as its twelfth ruler, succeeding his father Sihyaj Chan K'awiil (Stormy Sky) [1]

  2. St Hilary begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Hilary begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  3. Possible start of the first Byzantine indiction cycle

    Possible start of the first Byzantine indiction cycle

  4. Start of the Lunar Cycle of Hilarius

    Start of the Lunar Cycle of Hilarius

  5. Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire by Leo I

    Procopius Anthemius (Ancient Greek: Προκόπιος Ανθέμιος, romanized: Prokópios Anthémios; died 11 July 472) was the Western Roman emperor from 467 to 472.

More from the 450s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 28, 457?
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 Roman armies proclaim Majorian Emperor of the Western Roman Empire 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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