ABSTRACT
This chapter presents generally accepted historical picture of events pertaining to the collapse of the western empire. It outlines a broad cross section of archaeological data and epigraphic evidence for barbarian incursions and settlements. The chapter examines the numismatic record to give a general impression of how barbarian kings consolidated their power in symbolical terms. It outlines the administrative structure of the empire, and its erosion in Gaul and North Africa. The erosion of the Roman empire in the early fifth century differs considerably with that of the third. Things reached a critical head in the early part of the fifth century, when Hunnic pressure forced the second great wave of migrations, resulting in the crossing of the Rhine by the Alans, Vandals, and Sueves on 31 December 406. Cemeteries in eastern Europe of the later fifth century indicate that Gothic burial rites were evolving towards inhumation with few or no grave goods.
