Final answer:
Physical geography greatly influenced the fortunes of the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, with the East benefiting from defensible borders, efficient administration, and high tax revenue, while the West struggled with longer frontiers, reduced tax income, and societal disruptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical geography of the Eastern and Western Roman Empires offered both benefits and hindrances to their development and sustainability. The Eastern Roman Empire benefitted from its rich territories, efficient bureaucracy, and higher tax revenues, which supported well-equipped armies. Its location near the Danube and Euphrates made it a hub for trade and was defensible against external threats, and it faced fewer barbarian invasions compared to the west.
On the other hand, the Western Roman Empire suffered due to its more extensive and chaotic frontiers, including a longer stretch of the Danube River to protect, making it more susceptible to foreign invasions and societal disruptions. The western part of the empire saw a decrease in tax revenue due to the loss of territories, impacting its ability to maintain defenses and social order. Additionally, the massive wealth and power concentrated in the hands of the Western Roman elites further weakened the authority and financial stability of the Western Empire.
The physical geography played a significant role in determining the fate of each region, with the East's advantageous position enabling it to weather geopolitical instability and maintain Roman identity more robustly than the West.