Changes

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.

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.  

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?'''''