> Collapse is often quick and greatness provides no immunity. The Roman Empire covered 4.4 million sq km (1.9 million sq miles) in 390. Five years later, it had plummeted to 2 million sq km (770,000 sq miles). By 476, the empire’s reach was zero.

And what about that other empire? You know, the one that also calls itself the Roman Empire, consider itself Roman citizens, had control of both Rome and Ravenna, and covered 3.9 million sq km in the year 555?

Interesting side-note: Christopher Columbus was already alive by the time this other empire finally went to zero.