Understanding+of+how+and+why+the+collapse+of+empire+was+more+severe+in+western+Europe+(Rome)

As Rome began to disintegrate, actions were taken to stall its fall. Diocletian divided the empire into an eastern and western part and Constantine relocated the capital to the eastern side in Byzantium: the origins of the Byzantine empire. Rome eventually collapsed into ruin in 476 from constant invasions from Huns, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Franks, and all sorts of Germanic nomads, and the wealthier and more easily defendable Byzantine Empire flourished for the centuries to follow. Contrary to this displacement by several groups of people, even when the Byzantine Empire fell under Ottoman rule in 1453, its culture and legacy remained.
 * Benjamin Nguyen**
 * Thesis:**

media type="youtube" key="3PszVWZNWVA?rel=0" height="315" width="560"Watch 0:36-3:58

__**Roman Problems:**__
 * **Internal**
 * Massive size
 * "Barrack emperors"
 * Violent fight for power amongst leaders
 * 3rd c. epidemic
 * **External**
 * Germanic invasions
 * **Solutions**
 * Diocletian's division
 * Constantine's relocation



__**Byzantine Problems:**__ >>
 * **Internal**
 * Corruption of theme system (govt.)
 * Rebellion from elite class
 * Caused problems with //economy//, //land distribution//
 * Shortage in //military recruits// and //tax revenues//
 * Civil war and plague
 * **External**
 * Norman invasions
 * Crusades (late 11th c.)
 * //Fourth crusade// cripples Constantinople (1204)
 * Turkish sieges
 * //Saljuq// conquest in Anatolia
 * //Mehmet II//'s crushing blow on Constantinople (1453)
 * **Solutions**
 * Brief recovery under Nicaean emperor, //Michael VIII//
 * Momentary reliefs during //vassal subjection//