What happened to the western half after 476 CE?

After 476 CE, the western half of the Roman Empire experienced significant political fragmentation and instability. The fall of the Western Roman Empire marked the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe, leading to the rise of various barbarian kingdoms, such as the Ostrogoths and Visigoths, which supplanted Roman authority. This period saw a decline in urban life, trade, and cultural cohesion, as regions became more localized and feudal systems began to emerge. Over time, this fragmentation laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of modern European nations.