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Episodes
38 minutes ago
38 minutes ago
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Nine explains that Theodoric had gained control of Italy. Although the Ostrogoths were Homoean Christians, Theodoric was tolerant of the Catholic majority in Italy, so he had smooth relations with the church. However, the eastern Roman emperor refused to make Theodoric western Roman emperor, although he did recognize Theodoric as ruler of Italy. Meanwhile, Clovis had united several Frankish warbands under his leadership, and was expanding into Visigoth territory.
Cast of Characters:
Odovacar-king of Italy (476-493)
Leo I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (457-474)
Zeno-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (474-475, 476-491)
Anastasius I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (491-518)
Theodoric-king of Italy (493-526), king of the Osotogths (475-526)
Alaric II-king of the Visigoths, son of Euric (484-507)
Gundobad-king of the Burgundians (473-516), generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (472-473), nephew of Ricimer
Childeric-Frankish chieftain, father of Clovis
Clovis-king of the Franks (481-511)
Thrasamund-king of the Vandals and Alans (496-523)
Felix III-pope (483-492)
Gelasius I-pope (492-496)
Anastasius II-pope (496-498)
Symmachus-pope (498-514)
Laurentius-rival claimant for the papacy
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Seven explains that Odovacar had seized power in Italy, and had little trouble with his neighbors in Gaul because they were busy fighting each other. However, emperor Zeno convinced Theodoric to lead his people west to invade Italy, rather than continue to revolt in the eastern empire. A siege of Ravenna dragged on for over two years until a very hungry Odovacar agreed to share the throne, but there was only one throne, so Theodoric broke the agreement, and killed Odovacar, thus becoming king of Italy.
Cast of Characters:
Odovacar-king of Italy (476-493)
Leo I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (457-474)
Zeno-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (474-475, 476-491)
Anastasius I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (491-518)
Aspar-generalissimo of the Eastern Roman Empire (434-471)
Theodoric-king of Italy (493-526), king of the Osotogths (475-526)
Theodoric Strabo-chieftain of the Thracian Goths
Euric-king of the Visigoths, brother of Theodoric II (466-484)
Alaric II-king of the Visigoths, son of Euric (484-507)
Gundobad-king of the Burgundians (473-516), generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (472-473), nephew of Ricimer
Childeric-Frankish chieftain, father of Clovis
Clovis-king of the Franks (481-511)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Seven explains that Ricimer regained control of the western Roman empire, but the empire had shrunk, since the Goths had expanded their territory in Gaul and Hispania. After Ricimer died, there were three separate emperors between 472 and 475 until a general named Orestes seized power and made his teenaged son Romulus emperor. A year later, another general named Odovacar defeated Orestes, but Odovacar seemed to accept that the western Roman empire no longer existed, since he announced that he was the king of Italy, making Romulus the last Roman emperor.
Cast of Characters:
Procopius Anthemius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (467-472), son-in-law of former eastern emperor Marcian
Ricimer-generalisimo of the Western Roman Empire (456-472)
Gundobad-king of the Burgundians (473-516), generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (472-473), nephew of Ricimer
Anicus Olybrius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (July-November 472), former Roman senator
Placida-Olybrius' wife, youngest daughter of Valentinian
Glycerius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (473-474)
Julius Nepos-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (474-475), former governor of Dalmatia
Romulus Augustus-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (475-476), son of Orestes
Orestes-generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (475-476)
Odovacar-king of Italy (476-493)
Leo-emperor of the eastern Roman Empire (457-474)
Gaiseric-king of the Vandals and the Alans (428-477)
Huneric-son of Gaiseric
Eudocia-Huneric's wife, eldest daughter of Valentinian
Euric-king of the Visigoths, brother of Theodoric II (466-484)
Childeric-Frankish chieftain
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Six explains that the system of orderly barbarian settlement proved its value when the Goths and the Burgundians joined Roman troops to defeat Attila. Instead of a reward, Aetius. the architect of the system, was assassinated. Then Valentinian was murdered, and a senator named Maximus became emperor. However, Maximus died after the Vandals sacked Rome, and his successor was soon overthrown by his generals.
Cast of Characters:
Aetius-generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (433-454)
Valentinian-emperor, son of Constantius and Galla Placidia (425-455)
Licina Eudoxia-empress
Eudocia-eldest daughter of Valentinian
Placida-youngest daughter of Valentinian
Petronius Maximus-emperor, former senator (455)
Avitus-emperor, former senator (455-7)
Majorian-emperor, former general (457-461)
Libius Severus-emperor (461-465)
Procopius Anthemius-emperor, son-in-law of former emperor Marcian (467-472)
Ricimer-generalisimo of the Western Roman Empire (456-472)
Gaiseric-king of the Vandals and the Alans (428-477)
Huneric-son of Gaiseric
Theodoric II-king of the Visigoths, son of Theodoric I (453-466)
Euric-king of the Visigoths, brother of Theodoric II (466-484)
Atilla-king of the Huns (434-453)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Five explains that Aetius won the competition to become generalissimo because he was the only candidate left alive. Aetius focused on Gaul, where the Burgundians were convinced to accept an orderly settlement like the Goths. Unfortunately, the Vandals and Alans captured the critical port of Carthage. Both halves of the empire planned a joint expedition to retake Carthage, but the eastern empire became preoccupied with the Huns led by Attila.
Cast of Characters:
Felix-senior general in the Western Roman Empire (425-430)
Boniface-governor of North Africa (423-432)
Aetius-generalissimo of the Western Roman empire (433-454)
Valentinian-emperor, son of Constantius and Galla Placidia (425-455)
Galla Placidia-regent for her son Valentinian, former empress to Emperor Constantius III, formerly queen to Athaulf, king of the Visigoths, daughter of Emperor Theodosius I, half-sister of Emperor Honorius
Gaiseric-king of the Vandals and the Alans (428-477)
Theodoric I-king of the Visigoths (418-451)
Atilla-king of the Huns (434-453)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Four explains that Constantius convinced the Goths to deal with the Vandals and the Alans in Hispania. The generalissimo then married Galla Placidia, the half-sister of the emperor, and they had a son named Valentinian, but Constantius died a year later. The search for a new generalissimo had barely started when Honorius died, leaving Placidia's son Valentinian the natural successor.
Cast of Characters:
Honorius-emperor of the Western Empire (395-423)
Constantius-co-emperor (421), formerly generalissimo under Emperor Honorius
Galla Placidia-empress to Emperor Constantius III, formerly queen to Athaulf, king of the Visigoths, daughter of Emperor Theodosius I, half-sister of Emperor Honorius
Valentinian-son of Constantius and Galla Placidia
Athaulf-king of the Visigoths (411-415)
Wallia-king of the Visigoths (415-418)
Theodoric I-king of the Visigoths (418-451)
Constantine III-usurper/emperor of the Western Roman Empire (407-411), former Roman geeeral in Britain
Gerontius-key general of Constantine III
Constans-son of Constantine III
Jovinus-usuper/emperor of the Western Roman Empire (411-413), former Gallic-Roman senator
Castinus-generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (423-425)
John-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (423-425)
Boniface-governor of North Africa (423-432)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
The Makers of Scotland: Picts, Romans, Gaels and Vikings-Tim Clarkson
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Three explains that Stilicho was regent for Honorius but schemed to gain control of the eastern Roman empire, rather than deal with an usurper in Gaul and a coalition of Vandals, Alans and Sueves, so he was executed. The confusion enabled Alaric to lead his Goths into Italy, and sack Rome when Honorius failed to give the Goths their own lands.
Cast of Characters:
Honorius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (395-423), younger son of Theodosius I
Arcadius-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (395-408), older son of Theodosius I
Stilicho-generalissimo in the Western Roman empire (392-408), husband to Serena, favorite niece of Theodosius I
Alaric-king of the Visigoths (395-410)
Radagaisus-king of Goths who invaded Italy in 405
Constantine III-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (407-411), former soldier in the Roman army
Attalus-usuper/emperor of the Western Roman Empire (409-410), former prefect of Rome
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Two explains that the Goths had been allowed to enter the eastern empire but food supply problems led to a battle at Adrianople where emperor Valens was killed. His successor, Theodosius, made peace, and the Goths helped him gain control of the western empire. When he died, the empire was divided again with each of his two sons receiving one half. However, Goths led by Alaric revolted in the west.
Cast of Characters:
Valens-emperor of the Eastern Empire (364-378), younger brother of emperor Valentinian I
Gratian-co-emperor of the Western Empire (375-383), eldest son of emperor Valentinian I
Valentinian II-co-emperor of the Western Empire (375-392), younger son of emperor Valentinian I
Theodosius I-emperor of the Roman Empire (394-395), emperor of the Eastern Empire (379-395)
Maximus-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (383-388)
Eugenius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (392-394)
Arbogast-master of the military in the Western Roman Empire (385/6-394)
Honorius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (395-423), younger son of Theodosius I
Arcadius-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (395-408), older son of Theodosius I
Stilicho-master of the military in the Western Roman empire (392-408), husband to Serena, favorite niece of Theodosius I
Alaric-king of the Visigoths (395-410)
Sources:
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
https://open.spotify.com/show/5kFqAr2...
https://www.stitcher.com/show/history...
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=50989530
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode One explains that Diocletian seized power in 283, and divided the Romanempire into the western half and the eastern half. Despite his best efforts, a civil war broke out soon after his death, and Constantine had become sole emperor by 323. Byzantium became his capital in order to better deal with the expansionist Sasanian dynasty in Persia. When he died, the empire was divided again.
Cast of Characters:
Diocletian-emperor of the Eastern Empire (286-305), emperor (284-286), formerly cavalry commander
Maximus-emperor of the Western Empire (286-305), caesar (285-286)
Maxentius-claimed to be emperor of the Western Empire (306-312), son of Maximianus
Galerius-emperor of the Eastern Empire (305-311), caesar of the Eastern Empire (293-305)
Severus-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (306-307), caesar of theWestern Roman Empire (306-307)
Licinius-emperor of the Eastern Empire (308-324), under the authority of Galerius
Constantius-emperor of the Western Empire (305-306), caesar of the Western Empire (293-305)
Constantine I-emperor of the Roman Empire (324-337), emperor of the Western Empire (306-324), son of Constantius
Arius-founder of Arianism, the belief that Jesus of Nazareth was not equally divine as his father
Sources:
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Rome Resurgent: War and Empire in the Age of Justinian-Peter Heather
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany.