Early Medieval Europe Essay: History of Dark Ages and Analysis

This essay provides an overview of Early Medieval Europe, also known as the Dark Ages or pre-Renaissance period, and explores the major events that shaped the continent after the fall of the Roman Empire. The essay is divided into three phases: the rise of Christianity after Emperor Constantine, the infighting among European barbarians and the decline of the Roman Empire, and the influence of Christian churches in the state issues which led to the rise of the renaissance. The essay discusses the shift of the Roman capital to Constantinople, the establishment of present-day European countries, and the religious conflicts of the time. The essay also references the increased interest in science and mathematics during this era. The essay uses references from various sources to support its analysis of this historical period.

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Early Medieval Europe
This Assignment is about Medieval European history which is majorly known as Dark
ages or pre-renaissance phases. When the Asian countries were busy creating new inventions,
Europe was living in a dark age. An age that saw the downfall of the Great Roman Empire
and led to the emergence of the new Byzantine Empire in eastern Europe (Crashcourse,
2012).
Many parts of Europe were busy in fighting during this phase. I will be dividing this
phase into 3 phases which would give a slightly detailed view of it and would be helpful to
understand.
The first phase saw the rise of Christianity in Europe after the Roman Emperor
Constantine, who was the first Christian Emperor in the history of the Roman Empire started
promoting Christianity and destroying the old roman temples. He started appointing
Christians in his courts and gave them favors and this led to the rise of Christianity in this
period. moreover, there was a shifting of Roman Capital from Rome to Constantinopole
(Modern Day Istanbul, Turkey)
The Second phase witnessed the infighting amongst the European barbarians against
the Roman Empire, it did see the downfall of Rome into the hands of Huns the barbarians.
There was a long time that during this phase people were not sure in Europe whether they
would return alive if the step out of there house (History Matters, 2018). It was truly a phase
which is to be considered of the darkest one when the common people in Europe had no
security. This phase also remarks about the initial establishments of the present European
countries like France, Germany, Spain, etc out of the barbarian tribes which settled and ruled
in these regions as monarchs.

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The Third Phase is again about the religion and also what led to the rise of the
renaissance. During this phase, The Christian churches were exercising and interfering in the
state issues. Since most of the common people were not having access to religious texts and
were unaware of what the religion says and guide humanity (Cole & Symes, 2012). Churches
used to levy taxes in the name of religion from the serfs, peasants, and artisans. This gave rise
to the protestants and catholic Christians in Europe and a long-lasting war amongst them.
This phase was the reason that Europeans started showing interest in Science, Mathematics
which was at its peak in the Arabian and middle east and they had gained access to these
things.
References
Cole, J., & Symes, C. (2012). Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture (19th
ed.). New York: Norton & Co.
Crashcourse. (2012). The Dark Ages...How Dark Were They, Really?: Crash Course World
History #14. Retrieved 16 April 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=QV7CanyzhZg

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History Matters. (2018). Ten Minute History - Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire
(Short Documentary). Retrieved 16 April 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=H2J_3RTKB1c