The term 'barbarian' was used by the Romans to refer to peoples living outside the empire, such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks.

The fall of the Western Roman Empire was a long, gradual process, not a single event.

Internal factors weakening the empire included political instability, economic decline, and over-reliance on mercenary soldiers.

The westward migration of the Huns from Central Asia in the late 4th century displaced Germanic tribes, pushing them into Roman territory.

A key event was the Battle of Adrianople in 378 CE, where the Visigoths defeated a Roman army and killed the emperor.

The city of Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410 CE and again by the Vandals in 455 CE, signaling the breakdown of imperial authority.

Germanic peoples gradually transitioned from invaders to settlers, establishing their own kingdoms on former Roman lands.

The year 476 CE is traditionally used to mark the end of the Western Roman Empire, when the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed.

The deposition was carried out by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer, who became the first King of Italy.

The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire continued to thrive for centuries after the collapse of the West.