When did the Roman Empire stop being the Roman Empire

[Ron Andrea]

Personally, I think the Roman Empire ended when Rome fell. That's kind of early, but it's a clear date.

That thing in the east was an empire--and occasionally a very good empire, though often a pitiful one--but less and less Roman.

That many empires, kingdoms, churches, and cultures are heirs of the glory that was Rome can not be disputed, but none of them are really Rome. After the eternal city was humiliated, it was just so many dogs fighting over the scarps.