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(PDF) La du sortoj de la romia imperio

La du sortoj de la romia imperio

2013, Aktoj de la IKU, 66a sesio, edd. A. Wandel, R. McCoy (Rotterdam), 69-96

This article deals with the contrasting destinies of the eastern and western parts of the later Roman Empire in the fifth century A.D. It does not offer a narrative history of barbarian invasions, but rather considers the political, structural and economic problems that the empire had to face, especially the western half. It also discusses the role of the emperor and the relative powerlessness of western emperors; in addition, consideration is given to the armies of the two partes imperii, as to the more defensible borders of the eastern empire and the role of the church in society. Thus it seeks to explain the survival of the East and the fall of the West.