Changes

===The Italian Peninsula===

===The Italian Peninsula===

In 410, the Visigoths had sacked Rome, though they did not harm a single piece of property owned by the Church. Forty-two years Pope Leo I convinced Attila to leave, perhaps by his holiness, perhaps by an angel threatening to kill him unless the Hun obeyed him, perhaps by some gold. When the empire fell in 476, mercenaries ruled, but in 493, Theodoric of the Ostrogoths took over. He built roads, churches, aqueducts, theaters, and ampitheaters. Even though he was an Arian (someone who believed Jesus was not equal to God), he tolerated Catholics and Jews. But when he died, Justinian tried to conquer Italy. Even though they at first succeeded, the Ostrogoths fought back and both sides viciously destroyed the peninsula. Although eventally all Italy was ruled by Constantinople, in 568 the Lombards took over northern Italy. Pope Gregory I converted them to Catholicism, fed the people of Rome by grain from papal estates, and paid the Eastern Roman troops in Italy.

In 410, the Visigoths had sacked Rome, though they did not harm a single piece of property owned by the Church. Forty-two years Pope Leo I convinced Attila to leave, perhaps by his holiness, perhaps by an angel threatening to kill him unless the Hun obeyed him, perhaps by some gold. When the empire fell in 476, mercenaries ruled, but in 493, Theodoric of the Ostrogoths took over. He built roads, churches, aqueducts, theaters, and amphitheaters. Even though he was an Arian (someone who believed Jesus was not equal to God), he tolerated Catholics and Jews. But when he died, Justinian tried to conquer Italy. Even though they at first succeeded, the Ostrogoths fought back and both sides viciously destroyed the peninsula. Although eventually all Italy was ruled by Constantinople, in 568 the Lombards took over northern Italy. Pope Gregory I converted them to Catholicism, fed the people of Rome by grain from papal estates, and paid the Eastern Roman troops in Italy.

==The Rise of Islam (622-751)==

==The Rise of Islam (622-751)==

===Visigothic Spain and its Conquest===

===Visigothic Spain and its Conquest===

Under the Visigoth, headquartered in Toledo, comprised a fifth of the population and were soon romanized. A new [[Spanish]] language emerged from latin. The king converted in 587 from Arianism to the Roman Catholic faith, and the kingdom followed. Romanism. The great intellectual leader was Bishop [[Isidore of Seville]] (560-636).

Under the Visigoth, headquartered in Toledo, comprised a fifth of the population and were soon romanized. A new [[Spanish]] language emerged from Latin. The king converted in 587 from Arianism to the Roman Catholic faith, and the kingdom followed. Romanism. The great intellectual leader was Bishop [[Isidore of Seville]] (560-636).

In 711, Berbers and Arabs crossed over from Africa and defeated the Visigoths, reaching the Pyrennees Mountains by 719. However on the other side they were defeated by [[Charles Martel]] and his Franks at the [[Battle of Tours]], but wars and large raids continued.  

In 711, Berbers and Arabs crossed over from Africa and defeated the Visigoths, reaching the Pyrennees Mountains by 719. However, on the other side they were defeated by [[Charles Martel]] and his Franks at the [[Battle of Tours]], but wars and large raids continued.  

The Omayyad Dynasty ruled 756-1031. Christians were tolerated but (as in most Muslim countries), had to pay a special tax and were excluded from political power. Jews were well treated. There were numerous Christian revolts, but they were all suppressed.  The most brilliant period of the Moorish civilization came  in the ninth and tenth centuries with the city of Cordova as the center seat of science and arts.

The Umayyad Dynasty ruled 756-1031. Christians were tolerated but (as in most Muslim countries), had to pay a special tax and were excluded from political power. Jews were well treated. There were numerous Christian revolts, but they were all suppressed.  The most brilliant period of the Moorish civilization came  in the ninth and tenth centuries with the city of Cordova as the center seat of science and arts.

By 1035 there were three small Christian kingdoms in the north:  Castile-Leon; Navarre; and Aragon, along with the county of Barcelona. They began planning to retake Spain from the Muslims. The [[Reconquista]] (reconquest) began began in earnest under El Cid (d. 1099) and was completely successful by 1492.

By 1035 there were three small Christian kingdoms in the north:  Castile-León; Navarre; and Aragon, along with the county of Barcelona. They began planning to retake Spain from the Muslims. The [[Reconquista]] (reconquest) began began in earnest under El Cid (d. 1099) and was completely successful by 1492.

===Merovingian Francia===

===Merovingian Francia===