The year 476 AD is traditionally marked as the end of the Western Roman Empire. This significant date signifies the deposition of the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, by the Germanic king Odoacer. The fall symbolized not only the collapse of the imperial authority in the West but also the fragmentation of Roman civilization into various barbarian kingdoms. This event is often viewed as a pivotal moment in history, leading to the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages and the rise of feudalism in Europe.