Answer:
Another historical example in which a great empire was dissolved between several territorial entities of much smaller size and hierarchy is that of the Western Roman Empire, which controlled most of the European territory until its dissolution in the year 476, when its domains were divided between various kingdoms and minor entities as a consequence of the conquest of Rome by the barbarians.
After the dissolution of the Roman Empire, Europe began a period of feudalism, where feudal lords controlled small territories within larger kingdoms, holding royal power and forming their own armies. Thus, for example, within the kingdom of the Visigoths, formed after 476, several strong men were vying for power, in turn controlling smaller regions of the kingdom.
