The significance of the fall of Rome in 476 AD is profound, as it marked the end of the Western Roman Empire and is often cited as a key event in the transition from ancient to medieval history. The deposition of the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, by the Germanic leader Odoacer symbolized the collapse of centralized Roman authority in the West. This event led to the fragmentation of territorial control and the rise of feudalism in Europe, ultimately paving the way for the emergence of various kingdoms. It also ushered in the Dark Ages, a period marked by cultural and economic decline.