# End of the Western Roman Empire (476)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/476-end-of-the-western-roman-empire
Location: Ravenna, Italy
Themes: Politics

Odoacer deposes Romulus Augustulus, and the church becomes a key source of continuity in the West. At this point in the timeline (476), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Simplicius (3 March 468 – 10 March 483).

## Why it matters
End of the Western Roman Empire mattered because it changed the relationship between the churches and political power.

Pope at the time: [Pope Simplicius](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-simplicius)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Fall of the Western Roman Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Western_Roman_Empire)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — End of the Western Roman Empire](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=End+of+the+Western+Roman+Empire)
- [Wikipedia — Age Of Councils (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils)