What major event does the term "Fall of Rome" refer to?

The term "Fall of Rome" primarily refers to the decline and collapse of the Western Roman Empire, which occurred over a period of time but is typically marked by the year 476 CE when the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed. This event signifies not just a political change but also a significant cultural and economic transformation in Europe, leading to the fragmentation of the empire into various barbarian kingdoms and the onset of the Middle Ages.

Understanding this event involves recognizing the myriad factors that contributed to the decline, including economic troubles, military defeats, and internal strife, which weakened the empire's ability to govern effectively. The "Fall of Rome" symbolizes the end of ancient Roman dominance and the transition into a new era in European history characterized by feudalism and the rise of localized power structures.

Other choices presented, such as the decline of the Eastern Roman Empire, the rise of Christian dominance, and the establishment of the Byzantine Empire, are important historical developments but are distinct from the specific event that the "Fall of Rome" refers to, as these pertain to different aspects or consequences of Roman history rather than the collapse of the Western Roman Empire itself.