Did Rome just fade away in her last years?

[Carlton Bach]

So in 1453 the Empire came to an end? no ifs, ands, or but. it didn't fade away, it ended, right?

Well, unless you accept the idea that Charlemange had real legitimacy as a Roman successor emperor. In that case, it ends in 1806. Or 1814, if you take Napoleon as a usurper.

Anything with that much political juju isn't just going to 'end'.