The Alemanni: Rome’s Stubborn Foe on the Rhine
From the Roman Point of View For centuries, the Rhine was the northern edge of the Roman world, a river that divided the familiar order of cities, legions, and emperors …
The Franks — From Rhine Raiders to Rulers of Gaul
From Rome’s Perspective: The Rhine Frontier For the Romans, the Rhine frontier was a living scar: a line defended with forts, watchtowers, and patrols, but never entirely secure. Beyond the …
The Goths — The Fiercest Roman Enemies
The Romans’ View of the Goths For a Roman watching the slow waters of the Danube, the river was more than geography: it was the empire’s first line of defence. …
Barbarians vs Rome: Why the Empire Was Already Dead
The Western Roman Empire faced a series of challenges after the sack of Rome. This event greatly weakened the empire’s stability and hurt the reputation of its leaders. As control …
How did Rome Almost Collapse 2 Centuries Earlier? – The Crisis of the Third Century
During the tumultuous Third Century, the Roman Empire faced a period of crisis that brought it to the brink of collapse. With a deluge of invading tribes, economic difficulties, and …
The Annihilation of Carthage: The Devastation of Rome’s Greatest Enemy
In the ancient world, Carthage was a profound powerhouse hailing from the shores of the Mediterranean. It originated as a Phoenician outpost around 814 BC and developed into a major …
The Fall of Jerusalem and the Destruction of the Second Temple (70 AD)
In 70 AD, Jerusalem experienced one of history’s most devastating events when the Roman Empire launched a fierce siege on the city. By the end of 69 AD, internal conflicts …
How Barbarian Invasions ended the Western Roman Empire
The end of December 406 A.D. marked a turning point in European history as various Barbarian groups crossed the Rhine Frontier into the Western Roman Empire. These groups arrived at …
Emperor Romulus Augustus
Life: c. 465 – after 511? Romulus Augustus was the son of Orestes who once had been an assistant to Attila the Hun, and who had at times been sent …
Emperor Julius Nepos
Life: AD ? – 480 Became emperor June AD 474. Died 9 May in Dalmatia AD 480. Julius Nepos was the son of Nepotianus, who had been ‘Master of Soldiers’ …
Emperor Glycerius
Life: AD ? – After 480? Following the death of Olybrius there was a period of about four months during which there was no emperor in the west, sole rule …
Emperor Olybrius
Life: AD ? – 472 Name: Anicius Olybrius Became emperor March/April AD 472. Wife: Placidia (one daughter; Juliana Anicia). Died November AD 472. Olybrius was a member of the highly …
Emperor Anthemius
Life: AD ? – 472 Early Life Anthemius was born in Galatia and came from a wealthy, distinguished, and highly influential family in the eastern empire, a recent ancestor of …
Emperor Libius Severus
Life: AD ? – 465 Became emperor AD 461. Died on 14 November AD 465 at Dertona. After the death of Majorian there followed a period of over three months …