September 4th

On September 4th, 476 CE, the Western Roman Empire, centered in Rome, officially came to an end with the deposition of Romulus Augustulus by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. This event marked the traditional date for the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the end of ancient Roman rule in the western part of the empire.

The deposition of Romulus Augustulus marked a symbolic shift in power, as Odoacer effectively became the ruler of Italy and the de facto authority in the region. While the Eastern Roman Empire, centered in Constantinople, continued to exist for several more centuries as the Byzantine Empire, the fall of the Western Roman Empire marked a significant turning point in European history, leading to the fragmentation of political authority and the transition from the ancient world to the medieval period.