Early Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages started with the fall of Rome in the 5th Century and lasted until approximately the year 1000. They were the first part of the Middle Ages, which as a whole, spanned from the 5th Century until the 15th Century. This period of time is also commonly known as the Dark Ages as population and trade decreased, while immigration increased. It is considered that there was very little cultural output during this period.

The early centuries

The start of the Early Middle Ages was fraught with invasions as Rome fell to the Visigoths and other major cities were destroyed. Occupants of Rome and other Roman territories fled in fear, and the population of these cities was drastically reduced. Smallpox troubled Rome and other European cities for the first time in 581 and wiped out large portions of the population. The Plague of Justinian is soon after believed to have killed over 100 million Europeans during these years. While Western Europe fell to shambles, territories in Eastern Europe started to rise up, especially within the Byzantine Empire. Islam also gained dominance during these years and spread to parts of Spain and other portions of the Iberian Peninsula.

The West rises again

Starting in about the year 700, the Latin west started slowly revitalizing, partially due to a significant agricultural boom. Many of the new kingdoms led by the Visigoths and the Franks converted to Catholicism from Paganism, and started to assimilate into pre-exisiting cultures. A new system, known as feudalism, was developed during this time. This system revolved around each man vowing to serve their superior, in return for their superior's protection.

The later centuries

The final centuries in the Early Middle Ages occurred during the Viking Age, which included the raiding of most of Europe and parts of Asia, Africa and North America as well. During this time the Rus from the Slavic lands rose to prominence and the Bulgarian Empire also expanded greatly.

The Early Middle Ages were a period of time that centered around invasions and conquests. Many leading empires fell, including the Romans, but other empires like the Bulgarians rose in esteem. These years segued into the High Middle Ages, which saw great increases in population throughout all of Europe.