Division of the Empire from "summary" of History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
The Roman Empire was vast and powerful, stretching from Britain to the Middle East. However, as time passed, it became increasingly difficult for one ruler to effectively govern such a large territory. This led to the concept of dividing the empire into smaller administrative units, each with its own ruler. The division of the empire was not a sudden decision, but rather a gradual process that unfolded over several centuries. The first division occurred in 285 AD when Emperor Diocletian split the empire into two halves, known as the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire. Each half was governed by its own emperor, who was responsible for managing the affairs of his respective region. This division was intended to make the empire easier to govern and defend. By creating smaller administrative units, the emperors hoped to better control the vast territory of the empire. However, this division also had unintended consequences. The two halves of the empire began to drift apart, both politically and culturally. Over time, the division of the empire became more pronounced. The Western Roman Empire faced increasing threats from barbarian invasions, while the Eastern Roman Empire continued to thrive and expand. This led to a growing sense of rivalry between the two halves, as each vied for power and influence. The division of the empire ultimately contributed to its decline and fall. The Western Roman Empire was unable to withstand the pressures of invasion and economic collapse, leading to its eventual collapse in 476 AD. The Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, continued to exist for another thousand years before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.- The division of the Roman Empire into smaller administrative units was a response to the challenges of governing such a vast territory. While it was intended to make the empire more manageable, it ultimately contributed to its decline and fall. The division between the Eastern and Western Roman Empires created a sense of rivalry that weakened the empire as a whole, leading to its eventual collapse.
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