Italy 500 CE
In Italy, Roman administration and society remains largely intact under the rule of the Ostrogoths.
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
What is happening in Italy in 500CE
This map shows Italy in the period immediately after the fall of the Roman empire in the west.
Although the peninsula did not experience many large-scale invasions in the troubled third century, new taxation (which Italy had virtually escaped during the first two centuries of the empire) hit Italy hard. In the fourth century, Italy was divided into provinces, putting it on the same administrative footing as the rest of the empire, and Italians lost their privileged status in the imperial administration and army.
In the fifth, despite several major barbarian invasions, Roman administration and society remained largely intact here. The emperors, by now resident at Ravenna, were more or less cyphers, with real power in the hands of German military commanders. Finally, in 476, the last emperor in the west was despatched to Constantinople.
A German tribe, called the Ostrogoths, invaded Italy in 489 and now rule here. They are Arian Christians, and a gulf of suspicion separates them from the Roman population, who are Catholics. Nevertheless, civil government is still in the hands of the Roman governing class, and Roman law and administration carry on much as before.
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Egypt history 200BCE
Egypt is now ruled by monarchs descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals

Europe history 200BCE
The Celts still dominate much of Europe, but a new power, Rome, is on the rise and is now the leading power in the western Mediterranean
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Egypt history 30BCE
Egyptian independence has come to an end with the death of its famous queen, Cleopatra

Europe history 30BCE
The Roman empire now rules much of Europe

Central Europe history 30BCE
Major population movements are occuring in this region
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Europe history 200CE
The Roman Empire has given much of Europe two centuries of peace and prosperity

Britain history 200CE
A Roman province now covers the southern half of the British Isles
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Spain and Portugal history 750CE
Muslim forces from North Africa have conquered most of present-day Spain and Portugal.

Britain history 750CE
A collection of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms now covers most of present-day England, and the rest of the British Isles is home to numerous Celtic tribes and kingdoms
Lost your way? See a list of all maps
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads