FIFTH CENTURY,

(400-500.)

THE migrations of the northern nations and the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire are the great movements of the fifth century. WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. The Western Empire begins to break up early in this century, and out of the forests of Northern Europe come the founders of new nations. The migrations of these northern nations, which began in the latter part of the preceding century, now affect the course of history to an important extent. By the invasions of the tribes of Goths, Franks, Vandals, etc., the Western emperors lose their power outside of Italy, and the empire itself ceases to exist in 476, when it is nominally joined to the Eastern Empire, but really passes into the bands first of the Visigoth Odoacer, and later (489) into the power of the Ostrogoth Theodoric.

TEUTONIC (GERMANIC) TRIBES. The following are the more important movements of these nations :

VISIGOTHS (WEST GOTHS). The Visigoths, under Alaric, sack Rome in 410, and overrun all Southern Italy. The Visigothic kingdom in Spain and Southern Gaul begins in 410. The real power of what is now left of the Western Roman Empire passes into the hands of the Visigoth Odoacer in 476, who is, however, overthrown by the Ostrogoth Theodoric in 489. - OSTROGOTHS (EAST GOTHS). In 489, Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, overthrows the Visigoth Odoacer, in Italy, and rules from 493 to 526 over a strong and independent territory reaching far beyond Italy. - VANDALS. The Vandals settle in Spain, and in 429 cross to Africa, where they found a kingdom. - FRANKS. The Franks come into power in Northern Gaul, under Clovis, who ruled from 481 to 511.- BURGUNDIANS. The Burgundians found a kingdom in Southeastern Gaul. - ANGLES, SAXONS, JUTES. These peoples cross over into Britain, which has been evacuated by the Romans about 410, and there lay the foundation of the English nation.

HUNS. The Huns play an important part during the fifth century. Under Attila, they threaten the whole of Europe in 451, but are defeated at Châlons by the united forces of the Romans, Goths, and Franks. The Huns also invade the Eastern Empire. After the death of Attila, in 453, the power of the

Huns declines.

EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. The Eastern Empire remains nearly the same as at the end of the last century.

PERSIA is engaged in contests with the Eastern Empire.

Emperors. Arcadius, Theodosius II., Marcian, Leo I., Zeno, Anastasius I.

Church Fathers, Ecclesiastical Writers, etc.—St. Augustine, Theodoret, Chrysostom, St. Jerome, Pelagius, St. Cyril (of Alexandria), St. Patrick.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE FALL OF ROME.

The barbarians who broke up the Roman Empire did not arrive a day too soon. EMERSON.

ANY signs had long indicated the coming fall of

MANY
Rome. The Roman people had become lost in the

world which they had subdued. The old Roman life was corrupted by foreign elements, and debilitated by luxury.

The decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the causes of destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and as soon as time or accident had removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight. The story of its ruin is simple and obvious; and instead of inquiring why the Roman Empire was destroyed, we should rather be surprised that it had subsisted so long. — GIBBON.

The meanest Roman could purchase with a small copper coin the daily enjoyment of a scene of pomp and luxury which might excite the envy of the kings of Asia. From these stately palaces [the Baths, Therma] issued a swarm of dirty and ragged plebeians, without shoes and without a mantle; who loitered away whole days in the street or Forum, to hear news and to hold disputes; who dissipated in extravagant gaming the miserable pittance of their wives and children, and spent the hours of the night in obscure taverns and brothels, in the indulgence of gross and vulgar sensuality. But the most lively and

splendid amusement of the idle multitude depended on the frequent exhibition of public games and spectacles. The piety of Christian princes had suppressed the inhuman combats of gladiators; but the Roman people still considered the circus as their home, their temple, and the seat of the republic. The impatient crowd rushed at the dawn of day to secure their places, and there were many who passed a sleepless and anxious night in the adjacent porticos. From the morning to the evening, careless of the sun or of the rain, the spectators, who sometimes amounted to the number of four hundred thousand, remained in eager attention, their eyes fixed on the horses and charioteers, their minds agitated with hope and fear for the success of the colors which they had espoused; and the happiness of Rome appeared to hang on the event of a race. The same immoderate ardor inspired their clamors and their applause as often as they were entertained with the hunting of wild beasts, and the various modes of theatrical representation. . . . The decay of the city had gradually impaired the value of the public works. The circus and theatres might still excite, but they seldom gratified, the desires of the people; the temples, which had escaped the zeal of the Christians, were no longer inhabited either by gods or men; the diminished crowds of the Romans were lost in the immense space of their baths and porticos; and the stately libraries and halls of justice became useless to an indolent generation, whose repose was seldom disturbed either by study or business. The monuments of consular or imperial greatness were no longer revered as the immortal glory of the capital; they were only esteemed as an inexhaustible mine of materials, cheaper and more convenient than the distant quarry. — GIBBON.

It [the Roman Empire] was in a state analogous to that of the decrepit human frame when we say it is breaking up; the vital functions go on for a time, but weak and intermitting, - neither potions nor physicians can do more than postpone the evil hour. The throes of the perishing Colossus were, however, fearful. A glance at the countries which composed the vast heterogeneous mass of the Roman Empire will show us rottenness and corruption at the centre, and utter disorganization towards the extremities. MRS. JAMESON.

Look, too, at the state of Rome, which, when too extensive, became no better than a carcass, whereupon all the vultures and birds of prey of the world did seize and raven for many ages; as a perpetual monu

ment of the essential differences between the scale of miles and the scale of forces; and that the natural arms of each province, or the protecting arms of the principal state, may, when the territory is too extensive, be unable to counteract the two dangers incident to every government, foreign invasion and inward rebellion. - LORD BACON, First freedom, and then glory—when that fails, Wealth, vice, corruption, - barbarism at last. And history, with all her volumes vast, Hath but one page, 't is better written here, Where gorgeous tyranny had thus amassed

All treasures, all delights, that eye or ear,

Heart, soul, could seek, tongue ask-Away with words!

BYRON.

Where outworn creeds, like Rome's gray senate, quake,
Hearing afar the Vandal's trumpet hoarse,
That shakes old systems with a thunder-fit.

LOWELL.

of the

The migrations of those northern nations, noticed in the latter part of the preceding century, now began to affect the course of history to an important extent. The Migrations Western Empire, corrupted and no longer fit to be free, was now destined to be overthrown by the nations. inroads of these "barbarians," fresh and vigorous from the forests of Northern Europe.

northern

The migration of the northern nations is the wall of separation that divides the ancient and the modern world. SCHLEGEL.

This migration of the northern nations is nothing else save the history of the wars between the free Germanic races and the Roman masters of the world; wars which terminated in the dissolution of the Roman Empire, and in the foundation and first formation of the modern states and nations. -SCHLEGEL.

The fifth century opened with an increased activity and spirit of enterprise among the barbarian tribes which had been pressing on the empire, and had even gained a footing within its bounds. Three great waves of invasion may be distinguished: foremost and nearest were the Teutonic races; behind them came the Slaves; behind them again, and pressing strongly on all in front, were the Turanian