5th Century: The Rhine and the Danube rivers formed a northern boundary of the empire. In earlier times, they had stationed soldiers on both sides of the rivers and built walls. Gradually, the power of the Roman Empire began to decline and the Roman legions could no longer safeguard the Roman frontier. More and more of the Germanic tribes crossed the border and occupied large sections of the empire (in both N. Africa and Europe).
Due to the constant invasions, the once powerful empire that existed disappeared in the West by about the year 500. …
