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A period of severe political, military, and economic crisis that nearly resulted in the collapse of the Roman Empire. The empire faced numerous challenges including frequent emperor assassinations, civil wars, plague, and invasions by foreign tribes. This period marked the beginning of the empire's sustained decline.

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Diocletian implements major reforms including the Tetrarchy system of rule and division of the empire into Eastern and Western halves. While his reforms temporarily stabilized the empire, they also fundamentally altered its character and set the stage for later division.

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Emperor Constantine I issues the Edict of Milan, officially tolerating Christianity in the Roman Empire. This marked a significant shift in Roman society and culture, as Christianity would eventually become the dominant religion of the empire.

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Constantine I establishes Constantinople as the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, shifting the empire's power center eastward. This decision would have long-lasting consequences for the unity of the empire.

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376 CE: Gothic Refugees Enter Roman Territory

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376 CE: Gothic Refugees Enter Roman Territory

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Large numbers of Goths, fleeing from the Hunnic invasions, are allowed to settle within Roman territories. This mass migration would later lead to significant conflicts and contribute to the empire's instability.

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Emperor Valens is killed along with two-thirds of the Roman army in a devastating defeat by Gothic forces. This battle marked a crucial turning point, demonstrating Rome's vulnerability to barbarian forces.

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Upon the death of Emperor Theodosius I, the Roman Empire is permanently divided between his sons: Arcadius in the East and Honorius in the West. This split would prove permanent, with the Western Empire falling while the Eastern Empire continued as the Byzantine Empire.

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For the first time in 800 years, Rome falls to an enemy as Alaric and his Visigoths sack the city. This shocking event demonstrated the Western Empire's weakness and marked the beginning of the end.

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The Vandals, led by King Genseric, capture and plunder Rome for two weeks. Unlike the Visigothic sack of 410, the Vandals systematically stripped the city of its wealth, severely weakening what remained of Western Roman power.

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476 CE: Deposition of Romulus Augustulus

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476 CE: Deposition of Romulus Augustulus

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The last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, is deposed by the Germanic leader Odoacer. This event is traditionally marked as the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the end of ancient Roman civilization in the West.

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While the Western Empire had fallen, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under Justinian I, who attempted to reconquer the Western territories. His reign represented the last serious attempt to reunite the Roman Empire.