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.
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...
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
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains: Roman and Visigoth forces defeat Attila the Hun in northeast France, halting the Hun i
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains: Roman and Visigoth forces defeat Attila the Hun in northeast France, halting the Hun invasion of Roman Gaul [exact date disputed]
Battle of Avarayr: Armenian rebels are defeated militarily by the Sassanid Empire but are guaranteed freedom to openly p
Battle of Avarayr: Armenian rebels are defeated militarily by the Sassanid Empire but are guaranteed freedom to openly practice Christianity
10th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet
10th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet
Council of Chalcedon (4th ecumenical council) opens, annuls acts of second Council of Ephesus, and adopts doctrine of Po
Council of Chalcedon (4th ecumenical council) opens, annuls acts of second Council of Ephesus, and adopts doctrine of Pope Leo's Tome
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.
Events After
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...
Leo I crowned Eastern Roman Emperor, 1st to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople
Leo I crowned Eastern Roman Emperor, 1st to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople
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...
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]
St Hilary begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St Hilary begins his reign as Catholic Pope
More from the 450s
King Gaiseric and the Vandals sack Rome, looting continues for 14 days
King Gaiseric and the Vandals sack Rome, looting continues for 14 days
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.
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains: Roman and Visigoth forces defeat Attila the Hun in northeast France, halting the Hun i
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains: Roman and Visigoth forces defeat Attila the Hun in northeast France, halting the Hun invasion of Roman Gaul [exact date disputed]
Leo I crowned Eastern Roman Emperor, 1st to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople
Leo I crowned Eastern Roman Emperor, 1st to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on July 9, 455?
- 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 military commander Avitus is proclaimed emperor of the Western Roman Em... 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.