The Roman Empire didn’t fall all at once—it split and collapsed in stages. Here’s the breakdown: The Western Roman Empire Collapse Date: Traditionally 476 CE. This was when the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. •Main Causes of Collapse: 1. Political Instability – Weak and short-lived emperors, constant civil wars, corruption. 2. Economic Troubles – Heavy taxes, inflation, reliance on slave labor, declining trade. 3. Military Decline –