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The "[[Middle Ages]]" is the 1000-year period between the fall of the western [[Roman empire]] and the "[[Renaissance]]".  As a rough approximation, '''the dates of the Middle Ages are from A.D. 500 to 1500''', even though the Renaissance actually began hundreds of years earlier than 1500 and Rome fell before 500.  "Medieval" is the adjective for "Middle Ages":  for example, "medieval times" means the Middle Ages.

The "[[Middle Ages]]" is the 1000-year period between the fall of the western [[Roman empire]] and the "[[Renaissance]]".  As a rough approximation, '''the dates of the Middle Ages are from A.D. 500 to 1500''', even though the Renaissance actually began hundreds of years earlier than 1500 and Rome fell before 500.  "Medieval" is the adjective for "Middle Ages":  for example, "medieval times" means the Middle Ages.

Both the beginning and end of the Middle Ages occurred in what is now [[Italy]].  There was almost no centralized government during the Middle Ages; there were no spectacular empires.  The Middle Ages were a time of quiet feudalism and chivalry, and much spiritual growth as Christianity expanded.

Both the beginning and end of the Middle Ages occurred in what is now [[Italy]].  There was less centralized government during the Middle Ages; there were fewer spectacular empires.  The Middle Ages were a time of quiet feudalism and chivalry, and much spiritual growth as Christianity expanded.

Recall that the [[Germanic tribes]] destroyed the Roman empire in the west in the A.D. 400s, and in particular [[Alaric]] the [[Visigoth]] sacked [[Rome]] in A.D. 410.  Many of the Germanic tribes eventually converted to [[Christianity]], but their own customs made the social organization of the Roman empire impossible to maintain.  The networks of roads, water, shipping and agriculture that flourished during the Roman empire began to decay.  There was little obvious scholarship or artistic activity.  Except for the Carolingian court of [[Charlemagne]] discussed below, there was no kingdom in Europe from the fall of Rome to A.D. 1000.

Recall that the [[Germanic tribes]] destroyed the Roman empire in the west in the A.D. 400s, and in particular [[Alaric]] the [[Visigoth]] sacked [[Rome]] in A.D. 410.  Many of the Germanic tribes eventually converted to [[Christianity]], but their own customs made the social organization of the Roman empire impossible to maintain.  The networks of roads, water, shipping and agriculture that flourished during the Roman empire began to decay.  There was little obvious scholarship or artistic activity.  Except for the Carolingian court of [[Charlemagne]] discussed below, there was no kingdom in Europe from the fall of Rome to A.D. 1000.

Christianity and its new network of churches helped filled the void.  Also, a new method developed for protecting private property and encouraging farming on a local level rather than through a centralized empire:  [[feudalism]].  It arose independently and simultaneously in Western Europe and [[Japan]].  '''''Mystery: Why the coincidence in unrelated parts of the world?'''

Christianity and its new network of churches helped filled the void.  Also, a new method developed for protecting private property and encouraging farming on a local level rather than through a centralized empire:  [[feudalism]].  It arose independently and simultaneously in Western Europe and [[Japan]].  '''''Mystery: Why the coincidence in unrelated parts of the world?'''''

Under the decentralized government of the Middle Ages, a huge church-state network called "Christendom" held influence over all of Europe.  Christendom consisted of a religious hierarchy known as the [[sacerdotium]], and a secular (non-religious) hierarchy known as the [[imperium]].  These corresponded to man's spiritual needs and his worldly or temporal needs.  In Western Europe, the pope of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] ruled over the religious side and an emperor ruled over the secular side, and they were often arguing with each other.  Emperors tried to control church officials and vice-versa.  The Church even had its own armies and cities, and a powerful pope named [[Innocent III]] even asserted the right to resolve disputes between kings.  The pope would [[excommunicate]] (kick out of the Church) kings to show his disapproval, and at times even attempted to remove kings from power.  This all makes for interesting reading and debate.

During the Middle Ages, a huge church-state network called "Christendom" held influence over all of Europe.  Christendom consisted of a religious hierarchy known as the [[sacerdotium]], and a secular (non-religious) hierarchy known as the [[imperium]].  These corresponded to man's spiritual needs and his worldly or temporal needs.  In Western Europe, the pope of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] ruled over the religious side and an emperor ruled over the secular side, and they were often arguing with each other.  Emperors tried to control church officials and vice-versa.  The Church even had its own armies and cities, and a powerful pope named [[Innocent III]] even asserted the right to resolve disputes between kings.  The pope would [[excommunicate]] (kick out of the Church) kings to show his disapproval, and at times even attempted to remove kings from power.  This all makes for interesting reading and debate.

   

   

There were other threats to peace.  Foreigners from Asia known as "[[Mongols]]" were vicious warriors who seemed invincible.  And there was terrible disease:  the [[Bubonic Plague]] was probably the worst disease in all of history, killing a large percentage of the European population.

There were other threats to peace.  Foreigners from Asia known as "[[Mongols]]" were vicious warriors who seemed invincible.  And there was terrible disease:  the [[Bubonic Plague]] was probably the worst disease in all of history, killing a large percentage of the European population.