In ancient Rome, the decision to divide the empire and turn it from a republic into two separate parts occurred in 476 AD. Over time, the cause of this division has been debated and explored by many historians. The traditional narrative held by historians is that the division was caused by a succession of military leaders and political figures, who, over time, brought about the downfall of what had once been a powerful and unified empire.
The traditional narrative suggests that the division was caused by the increasing presence of the Germanic tribes that invaded the Roman Empire in the 4th century. At the same time, economic and social issues were weakening the power of the Roman elite, leading to a decline in their ability to govern and protect the borders of the empire. This instability paved the way for a succession of military leaders, who sought to gain power by dividing the empire into two parts.
More recently, historians have suggested that the division of Rome was the result of a political struggle between members of the Roman senate. During this period, the Senate wanted to expand its power to rival that of the Emperor and his allies, and the division allowed them to do this. Another suggestion is that the division was the result of the increasing power of local warlords who wanted more control over their territories. This would have allowed them to gain more power and wealth for themselves than if the empire had remained unified.
It is difficult to pinpoint a single factor that caused the division of Rome, as there are many competing theories. Some historians believe it was a combination of factors, including political and military divisions as well as economic decline. Others argue that it was external forces such as the Germanic tribes that brought about the decline of the empire. Whatever the cause, it is clear that the division of Rome was the result of a complex combination of internal and external forces.
Whilst the traditional narrative suggests that the division of Rome was the result of a succession of military and political leaders, it is important to remember that it was also the result of decisions taken by ordinary citizens of the empire. The people of the empire had a direct impact on the path the empire took and some historians believe that their choices had a significant impact on the ultimate division of the empire.
Economic Impact of the Division
The division of the Roman Empire had an enormous impact on the economy. The separation of the two halves of the empire into two distinct entities meant that resources which had been used to sustain a united Roman world became divided, leading to a decrease in trade and investment in the region. This, in turn, had a knock-on effect on the economic vitality of the region, leading to economic instability and poverty.
The division of the empire also led to a decrease in the number of people engaged in commerce. With the break-up of the unified empire, commerce across the regions ceased, leading to a decrease in the volume of goods and services moving between the two halves of the empire. This also had an impact on the economy as it led to a decrease in employment levels, and a decrease in the amount of money circulating in the economy.
Finally, the division of the Roman Empire had a large impact on the monetary system of the region. The split of the Roman Empire led to the introduction of two new currencies, which lowered the value of the old Roman coins. This further increased economic instability in the region, leading to a longer period of economic decline.
Rise of New Political Structures
The division of the Roman Empire led to the emergence of new political structures in both halves of the Roman world. In the Western Roman Empire, a new monarchy emerged, while in the Eastern Roman Empire, a new political system based around the Byzantine Empire was established. This meant that the political landscape of the region changed drastically, as different political structures competed for control of various parts of the former empire.
The division of the Roman Empire also had an impact on religion in the region. In the Western Roman Empire, the Catholic Church rose to prominence and replaced paganism, while in the Eastern Roman Empire, Orthodox Christianity took hold. This contributed to the division between the Eastern and Western parts of the former empire, as these religions had different beliefs and practices.
The division of the Roman Empire also allowed for a variety of new cultural forms to emerge. With separate entities in the East and West, different cultures developed in each half of the former empire. This allowed for the development of new literature, art and philosophy which further divided the two halves of the empire.
Finally, the division of the Roman Empire led to the emergence of new political power structures in the region. Large states and dynasties rose to prominence in both halves of the former empire, creating a political system of competing states that eventually led to the emergence of modern nation-states in the region.
Rise of New Technologies
The division of the Roman Empire led to the rise of several new technologies that further impacted the region. In the West, the development of a new writing system along with the invention of book printing allowed for the emergence of a new type of literature. In the East, the development of gunpowder and firearms contributed to military advances, while in the West, the development of the clock aided with navigation and timekeeping.
The division of the Roman Empire also led to the rise of a new type of warfare. Fostered by the decentralization of power in the region, new warfare strategies emerged that relied on quick action, mobility and surprise. This gave rise to a new type of warfare in which conflicts were fought with less traditional means, such as guerrilla tactics and psychological warfare.
Finally, the division of the Roman Empire saw the emergence of new ideologies in the region. In the West, the spread of Christianity gave rise to a new set of beliefs, while in the East, the spread of Islam led to the formation of a new type of society. This allowed for the development of different philosophies and ideas across the region.
Cultural and Social Impact of the Division
The division of the Roman Empire created a lasting cultural and social impact on the region. As two separate entities, the East and West developed distinct cultures, languages and religions. This division created cultural boundaries between the two halves which have survived to this day, as evidenced by the large number of distinct regional identities that exist in the region.
The division of the Roman Empire also had an impact on the social structure of the region. With the emergence of different political entities, social classes developed in the region that were based on a variety of factors, such as economic power and wealth. This meant that social mobility became more limited and opportunities for advancement became more limited.
The division of the Roman Empire also impacted the landscape of the region. The West was largely an agricultural society, while the East was more focused on trade, commerce and industry. This resulted in a number of distinct regional identities that remain to this day.
Finally, the division of the Roman Empire led to a decrease in contact and inter-connectivity between the two halves of the former empire. This meant that ideas and innovations were slower to spread between the East and West, leading to a decrease in the overall level of development in the region.
Final Thoughts
The division of the Roman Empire had a lasting effect on the region, resulting in the emergence of two separate entities with distinct identities and cultures. Whilst the traditional narrative suggests that the division was largely the result of external forces, it is important to understand that it was also the result of a complex combination of economic, political and social factors. It is these factors, combined with the decisions taken by ordinary citizens, that ultimately led to the decline of the unified Roman Empire.
