Hadrian’s Wall, Britain – The Empire’s Northern Limits

Hadrian’s Wall, built in the 2nd century AD, marked the northern boundary of Roman Britain. By the late 4th and early 5th centuries, Rome could no longer defend its distant territories, and in 410 AD, Emperor Honorius told the Britons to defend themselves as Roman troops withdrew. The wall stands today as a symbol of Rome’s reach and its eventual inability to maintain its vast borders.

Trier, Germany – The Administrative Center of the West

Trier, one of the oldest cities in Germany, was a major administrative center of the Western Roman Empire. In the late Roman period, it was an imperial residence and home to several emperors. However, the city suffered attacks from Germanic tribes in the 5th century. Today, Trier’s Roman ruins, including the Porta Nigra and the Imperial Baths, showcase the empire’s former power and its eventual vulnerability.

Carthage, Tunisia – Rome’s Former Rival Turned into a Ghost City

Carthage, once Rome’s great rival during the Punic Wars, became a key Roman city in North Africa. However, in 439 AD, the Vandals captured Carthage and established their own kingdom. This loss weakened Rome’s ability to control the western Mediterranean. Although the Byzantines later recaptured Carthage, it never regained its former prominence. Today, its ruins tell the story of both Roman dominance and decline. shutdown123