This course will cover the history of the later Roman Empire focusing on the fall of the Western Roman Empire from the reign of the Emperor Diocletian in 284AD to the last Roman Emperor in the West, Romulus Augustus in 476AD. This will include the great barbarian invasions which reduced the Western Empire to a poorer shadow of its former self and ultimately destroyed it. This period in history is particularly fascinating and packed with interesting historical characters that influenced the course of history. These included barbarian leaders such as Attila the Hun, influential women who were the real power behind the throne, the emperors themselves and great generals such as Stilicho and Aetius. ……..and much, much more! I do not give out handouts for each lecture but intend to give each student a prepared booklet containing 30 pages for which there is a cost of £1 payable at the first session.