Part 4/14:
One of the most compelling arguments against a definitive fall date is the survival of the Byzantine Empire. Its rulers viewed themselves as Roman, and their legacy persisted for nearly a millennium after the fall of Rome in the West. The Roman identity continued until 1453, an age of nearly 2,200 years—an astonishing longevity unmatched by most civilizations.
How Many "Falls" Are There?
Aldrete suggests that selecting a single date oversimplifies a complex process. Instead, many possible "fall" dates reflect different perspectives and facets of Roman history:
The rise of Christianity
Barbarian invasions
Political and economic upheaval
Cultural transformations