What event signified the end of the classical era?

The end of the classical era is often marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, when the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed. This event symbolized the collapse of centralized Roman authority and the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe. The transition was characterized by significant political, cultural, and social changes, including the rise of feudalism and the spread of Christianity.