MIDDLE AGES. Begins – Fall of Western Roman Empire Ends – Renaissance Called “Middle...

A.D. 500 - 1500

MIDDLE AGES

MIDDLE AGES OR MEDIEVAL PERIOD 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

MAP OF EUROPE AROUND 450

START OF 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

“DARK AGES” (EARLY MIDDLE AGES) 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

“DARK AGES” (EARLY MIDDLE AGES)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 INVASIONSCONSTANT WARFARE

“DARK AGES” (EARLY MIDDLE AGES)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