MIDDLE AGES
Begins – Fall of Western Roman Empire Ends – Renaissance Called “Middle Ages” – time period in between Classical Age (Greeks/Romans) and Modern Age (beginning with Renaissance) Many times Middle Ages divided into different periods: Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages), High Middle Ages, Late Middle Ages
Western Roman Empire ended by: Germanic Invaders such as: Franks, Vandals, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Angles, Saxons… The Middle Ages will mark the start of a FEUDAL Society Kings/Nobles/Knights/Peasants The Church becomes stabilizing force
The first 500 years of the Middle Ages Scarcity of literature and cultural output Going on at the same time in other parts of the world: Byzantine Empire, Islamic Caliphate
Characteristics: Lack of a Strong Central Government Unlike the Roman Empire which featured a strong central gov’t. – the feudal period in European history had weak central gov’ts. No one to keep order: REPEATED INVASIONS CONSTANT WARFARE
Characteristics: Lack of a Strong Central Government Repeated Invasions Disruption of Trade Downfall of Cities Population More Rural Loss of Common Language Decline in Learning