AD455 - the fall of the Roman west?

[Robert Vermaat]

There is more than a slight probability that the Rhine-frontier was still maintained up to then.

Hmm, interesting - but maintained by whom? Surely not by the emperors in Rome or Ravenna? I could well imagine that the western successor states would want to keep up the Rhine defences - and the material record of their occupation would be scarcely different to that of a late 'Roman' one, I would think.

The Empire was of course more than the rulers in their respective capitals. Even without an Emperor in Rome or Ravenna, the 'local nobles' could maintain some form of defense (they would have to anyway), and the soldiers and federates along the frontiers would do their jobs without knowledge of the person who actually ruled over them. There had been breakdowns before, even for years sometimes, but rescuing armies had always been sent their way eventually. Frankish commanders and Gaulish duces did not know any better - the population as not expecting any different. It was a tough fabric to break, so to speak. The real break would be when some folks realise that there won't be any suppot from Italy anymore.

With a bit more luck and without that damning East-West conflict I firmly believe the West could have ben held somehow. It took about 60 years to wear it down.