Europe After the Fall of the Roman Empire 400-600 AD Essay

Europe After the Fall of the Roman Empire 400-600 AD - Essay Example The western side of the Roman Empire, that is Europe, became a part of the Roman Empire under its strong military power. The extension of the land was fully made by the emperor Trajan in the second century. All the countries near to the Mediterranean Sea came under Rome. Rome had started to rule Britain even from 55 B.C. From Britain in the Western side, the Roman Empire had kept all the European countries under its rule. From 3rd century onwards the supremacy of Rome came down due to various reasons. The Germanic people had settled on the borders of Rome years ago and by the fourth century their hold was so powerful. â€Å"By the end of the fourth century, however, the relationship between the Romans and the Germans began to change radically as a great influx of Visigoths swept toward the Western frontiers of the empire† (American Book Works Corporation 81). In A.D. 476, Rome finally fell to the hands of these barbarian people. The last emperor Romulus Augustus, a boy had to surrender before the Germanic king Odoacer. Rome witnessed the independent rule of Odoacer for a few years. After the fall of Rome, it influenced with its rich tradition on the construction of new kingdoms in Europe. The essay analyzes how the Roman tradition worked as a strong influence on the later kingdoms of Europe after the fall of Rome in A.D. 476. Europe witnessed the rule of different kings after the Roman fall. Theodoric, a general who is not in the Roman tradition defeated Odoacer and established his kingdom named Ostrogothic kingdom. They were not ready to reshuffle everything of Roman tradition rather they followed what was Roman. It is said, â€Å"He built legitimacy for his new state by preserving traditional Roman institutions, especially the Senate and the office of consul† (The transformation of the Roman Empire 223) Further it is seen that he had followed the policy of Constantine on religious toleration. The next ruler of the Europe was Franks. They have se ttled the country to what is now called as France. The leader of Franks, Clovis became the emperor in A.D. 507. Clovis’s dynasty ruled for 200 years. It was named Merovingian dynasty, taking up â€Å"the legendary Frankish ancestor Merovech† (The transformation of the Roman Empire 224). The Merovingian dynasty had taken many of the Roman traditions in its rule. Their state combined â€Å"barbarian military might with Roman social and legal traditions† (The transformation of the Roman Empire 224). Almost all rulers had taken the noble aspects of Roman culture when they ascended into power. Visigoth king Athaulf who ruled during the period from 410 -415 A.D. explained the goals of his ruling strategy as â€Å"reviving the Roman name with Gothic strength† (The transformation of the Roman Empire 223). It was the intention of many of the new emperors to restore the Roman law and culture. So, after the fall of Rome, the Roman laws got much prominence among the new rulers. They wrote the legal codes of Rome and practiced in their countries. The practice of fining was another landmark of the Roman tradition in the new kingdoms. The penalties were incurred to the law offenders and the majority of it would go to the nearest relative of the person affected. After the fall of Rome, there developed a Gallo- Roman culture and language. When most part of Gaul came under the rule Merovingian kings, the amalgamation of Roman