1 102 B Byzantine Romans @ In the 4th century AD, the Roman Empire was divided into (Greek) East and (Latin) West, a political division reinforced by Christian religious schism. Constantinople (Byzantium) became the capital city in AD 330. Constantly beset by barbarian raiders and hostile neighbouring empires, the Byzantine Roman Empire nevertheless enjoyed more than a thousand years of prosperity.
#Byzantine Romans, Haghia Sophia
2 102 A The Western Empire @ Civil war, economic collapse and declining rural population undermined the Western Roman Empire. Barbarian incursions speeded its demise; Rome itself was sacked by the Goths under Alaric in AD 410. The last Western Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed in AD 476; his barbarian successors dismembered the empire into smaller kingdoms.
#Western Romans, Ruins of forum in Rome
3 102 C Migrations @ Major barbarian incursions across the Rhine-Danube frontier began in AD 376 as other population movements further east, and land and climatic deterioration drove Germanic groups out of their traditional lands into Britain, France, Spain and North Africa. Often these barbarian conquerors came not to destroy but to enjoy the benefits of civilization.
#Migrating Folk, claw beaker
4 102 D The Huns @ Horse-riding archers from the steppe, the Huns made themselves dreaded in 5th century Europe and under Attila's leadership for a while posed a unified threat that shook the Roman Empire. Traces of the Huns are found right across Central Asia, including their skulls, recognizable by their artificially elongated form.
