The main effect of the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD was the onset of the Middle Ages, a period often characterized by feudalism, diminished central authority, and cultural decline in Western Europe. The deposition of the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer, marked a significant shift in power dynamics. As the centralized Roman government disintegrated, various tribes and kingdoms emerged, leading to fragmented governance and varying degrees of warfare. This transition also resulted in the loss of classical knowledge, although the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) continued to thrive, preserving much of Roman heritage.