What Are the 10 Divided Kingdoms of Rome?

By Michael Ferguson

The history of Rome is rich and complex, filled with tales of emperors, conquests, and political upheaval. One significant period in Roman history is the division of the empire into multiple kingdoms. Let’s explore the ten divided kingdoms of Rome that emerged during this time.

The Divided Kingdoms of Rome

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, various Germanic tribes established their own kingdoms on the Italian Peninsula. These divisions marked a significant turning point in Roman history and shaped the future of Europe.

1. Kingdom of the Ostrogoths

The Ostrogoths, led by King Theodoric, established their kingdom in Italy after defeating Odoacer in 493 AD. The Ostrogothic Kingdom lasted until 553 AD when it was conquered by the Byzantine Empire.

2. Kingdom of the Visigoths

The Visigoths settled in what is now modern-day Spain and southern France. Their kingdom endured from 418 AD to 711 AD when they were defeated by Muslim forces.

3. Kingdom of the Vandals

The Vandals established their kingdom in North Africa after crossing over from Spain in 429 AD. Their reign lasted until 534 AD when they were conquered by Byzantine forces under General Belisarius.

4. Kingdom of the Lombards

The Lombards invaded Italy from Germany in 568 AD and founded their own kingdom known as Lombardia or the Lombard Kingdom. It lasted until 774 AD when it was conquered by Charlemagne, King of the Franks.

5. Kingdom of Burgundy

The Burgundians settled in what is now modern-day France and Switzerland. Their kingdom existed from 443 AD to 534 AD when it was conquered by the Franks.

6. Kingdom of the Suebi

The Suebi established their kingdom in what is now modern-day Portugal and northwest Spain. It lasted from 411 AD to 585 AD when the Visigoths conquered them.

7. Kingdom of the Angles

The Angles, along with the Saxons and Jutes, migrated to Britain from what is now Denmark and Germany. They established several small kingdoms, which eventually merged into larger entities such as Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex.

8. Kingdom of the Ostrogoths (Again)

After their defeat by the Byzantine Empire, some Ostrogoths migrated to what is now modern-day Crimea and established a new kingdom that lasted until 668 AD.

9. Kingdom of the Lombards (Again)

In 774 AD, Charlemagne conquered the Lombard Kingdom and incorporated it into his Carolingian Empire.

10. Papal States

The Papal States were territories in Italy ruled by the Pope from the 8th century until their incorporation into a unified Italy in 1870.

These ten divided kingdoms of Rome played a crucial role in shaping Europe’s political landscape during this era. Exploring their histories provides us with valuable insights into how power dynamics shifted after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.