In the year 395, the Roman Empire split into two parts: the Western Roman Empire, which included Rome, and the Eastern Roman Empire, sometimes called “The Byzantine Empire” after its capitol at Byzantium, and which became Constantinople during the reign of Emperor Constantine. The split of the most powerful empire in Western history happened for a number of reasons. One, it would be easier to administer a smaller area, considering the means of communication at the time. Two, the borders of the empire were threatened by many hostile people and it was believed that dividing command and control would make defending the empire easier. Three, it was believed that having two equal emperors would lessen the number of power struggles that had been taking place within the Roman Empire for decades.