--- title: Map of the Migration Period in Europe in the 4th-5th Century author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14250/map-of-the-migration-period-in-europe-in-the-4th-5/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-01-20 --- # Map of the Migration Period in Europe in the 4th-5th Century _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of the Migration Period in Europe in the 4th-5th Century](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14250.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14250.png) ## Image Caption The Migration Period in [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) (c. 4th–6th centuries CE) marks a prolonged era of movement, conflict, and political transformation rather than a single moment of collapse. Following the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of Emperor Theodosius I (reign 379–395 CE) and the permanent division of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) in 395 CE, pressures along [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)’s frontiers intensified. A combination of internal weakness, economic strain, and external displacement, most notably the westward movement of steppe peoples, pushed groups such as the [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/), [Vandals](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/), [Franks](https://www.worldhistory.org/Franks/), [Saxons](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/), and others into imperial territory. These movements did not simply “invade” Rome but interacted with existing [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) structures, accelerating the erosion of centralized authority in the [Western Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Western_Roman_Empire/). By the late 5th century, imperial power in the West had fragmented into a patchwork of successor kingdoms established on former Roman lands. The deposition of [Romulus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Romulus_and_Remus/) Augustulus in 476 CE by [Odoacer](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odoacer/) is traditionally used to [mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/) the end of the Western Roman [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/), though many Roman institutions persisted under new rulers. The short-lived dominance of the [Hunnic Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Huns/) under [Attila](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Attila/) (reign 434–453 CE) reshaped the balance of power across Central Europe before its rapid collapse. In contrast, the Eastern Roman ([Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/)) Empire, ruled from [Constantinople](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantinople/), survived and adapted, maintaining imperial continuity for centuries. The Migration Period thus represents a transition from Roman imperial rule to early medieval political orders, laying the foundations for new identities, kingdoms, and the long transformation of Europe rather than a sudden “fall” into chaos. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2021, June 16). Map of the Migration Period in Europe in the 4th-5th Century. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Migration Period in Europe in the 4th-5th Century." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 16, 2021. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Migration Period in Europe in the 4th-5th Century." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Jun 2021, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 16 June 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.