The western part of the Roman Empire experienced a series of dramatic events and developments starting in 395 AD. In 476, the last Western emperor was deposed, and in 554, Justinian abolished the Western Roman court. These events, which mark the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages in Europe, have often been explained by a migration of peoples. In contrast, this volume focuses on internal Roman conflicts: the Western Empire was not conquered. Its successor states only replaced the imperial government after endless civil wars had led to the collapse of Roman rule. A systematic overview of the imperial system, administration, army, economy, and religion completes the presentation.