Title: Divorce and Decline: The Division of East and West Roman Empires | History Hit
Headings: Divorce and Decline: The Division of East and West Roman Empires
Divorce and Decline: The Division of East and West Roman Empires
Colin Ricketts
East weakening west
The fall of Rome
The West crumbles under its own weight

Content: In some cases the Empire had drawn back their borders, leaving some places to fend for themselves, exposing provinces like Britain to assault and settlement by Germanic tribes like the Jutes and Saxons. Dan sits down with Tom Holland to discuss Rome's first five emperors - the Julio-Claudian dynasty. From Augustus to Nero, they are some of the most colourful characters in history. But how much of what we know of these figures is actually true? Beware this podcast contains very strong language. Listen Now
East weakening west
Constantinople was the capital now. It was an increasingly well-developed and well-fortified city, mirroring the rest of the Eastern empire. The strength of the East prompted any aggressors to turn their attention towards the West. Constantine had weakened the West during his rule, other than favouring the East in development of infrastructure, but in economic governance too. He raised taxes in the West to bring them up to the level of those in the East to seem fair.