our own day have considerable numbers of critics attained the plane of historical impartiality which Gibbon had reached a century and a quarter ago, but in most other regards his example found a readier following. THE CHRONOLOGY OF LATER ROMAN HISTORY IN THE EAST EARLY DAYS OF THE EASTERN EMPIRE (395-565 A.D.) The Roman Empire, permanently divided at the death of Theodosius (395) into an eastern and a western section does not, nevertheless, lose its unity as an organisation. The period of disintegration has set in, and the extinction of the western section in 476 is an event in this disintegration rather than the “fall” of an empire. It was not until 800, the year of Charlemagne’s accession, that there were really two empires, and that the term “Eastern Empire” may properly be applied. But for convenience we call the history of Arcadius and his successors that of the Eastern Roman Empire. 395 A.D. =Arcadius=, co-regent, and elder son of Theodosius, continues to reign at Constantinople. The Huns ravage Asia Minor, and the Visigoths, under Alaric, rise in Mœsia and Thrace. At the death of Rufinus, the eunuch Eutropius becomes chief adviser of the emperor, supported by Gainas. 398 Alaric becomes governor of Eastern Illyricum. 399 Death of Eutropius. 401 Death of Gainas. The emperor comes entirely under the influence of his dissolute wife, Eudoxia. 408 =Theodosius II= succeeds his father. He is but seven years of age and is controlled by his sister Pulcheria. Alaric moves upon Rome. 410 Death of Alaric. 421 Theodosius marries Athenais (Eudocia). War breaks out with Persia. 425 Organisation of the University of Constantinople. 438 Publication of the Theodosian Code. 439 Genseric takes Carthage. 441 War with Persia. War with the Huns and Vandals continues. 442 Invasion of Thrace and Macedonia by Attila. 447 Peace of Anatolius made with the Huns. 450 Death of Theodosius. =Marcian= is raised to the throne by Pulcheria, whom he marries. He makes a wise ruler and resists payment of tribute to the Huns. 457 The Theodosian dynasty comes to an end with Marcian. The choice of the emperor rests with the army, and the general Aspar brings about the election of =Leo I=, a native of Thrace. 465 Great fire at Constantinople. 468 With the co-operation of Anthemius, Leo plans a great expedition against Genseric in Africa, but it fails through treachery of Aspar, who is executed, 469. 474 Leo I dies, leaving empire to his grandson =Leo II=. The latter dies the same year and =Zeno=, his father, reigns, but =Basiliscus= at once drives him out and rules for twenty months, when Zeno recovers the throne.