Early Middle Ages

Early Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages (or early medieval period), sometimes called the Dark Ages, was from the late 5th to the 10th century. It was the start of the Middle Ages in European history. It came after the Western Roman Empire ended and before the High Middle Ages.

During this time, many things changed. Cities had fewer people, and there was less trade. In some places, it got a little warmer. People moved around a lot. The Byzantine Empire kept the old Roman ways alive. New powers like the Rashidun Caliphate and the Umayyad Caliphate took over some lands.

Later, things began to get better. In the year 800, a leader named Charlemagne became an Emperor. His Carolingian Empire changed Europe for many years. People learned new ways to farm, like three-field planting and using the heavy plough. Although many groups had moved, things quieted down — except in Northern Europe, where the Viking expansion brought more changes.

History

Collapse of Rome

Main article: Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Starting in the 2nd century, Roman civilization began to change. Cities, trade, and the number of people all shifted. By the 3rd century, groups from northern Europe moved into Roman lands and created new kingdoms.

The Roman army grew weaker and relied more on soldiers from other groups. This made it hard to protect the empire. Over time, new leaders from these groups took control, and the Western Roman Empire ended.

Migration Period

Main articles: Migration Period, Germanic kingship, and Early Slavs

As the Western Roman Empire fell, many groups of people moved into its lands. Some of these groups had been near Roman culture and changed to fit in, while others were more focused on fighting and taking things. This movement changed how people lived, including their laws, culture, and religion.

Life became more local, with people relying on nearby leaders instead of faraway Roman rulers. Trade and big cities grew smaller, and many people stopped reading and writing. The Eastern Roman Empire, also called the Byzantine Empire, kept some Roman ways alive.

Eastern Roman Empire

Main article: Eastern Roman Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire, later called the Byzantine Empire, tried to keep control of important trade routes. Under Emperor Justinian, they brought back some Western lands and made new laws. However, a big sickness spread through the empire, which caused many deaths.

Later leaders faced attacks from new groups and had to make new rules to keep their land safe. Even so, Constantinople stayed a rich and busy city. Leaders from northern groups looked to Constantinople for knowledge and help.

Rise of Islam

From the 7th century, the rise of new beliefs changed Byzantine history a lot. Leaders from Arabia took over many lands that had once belonged to Rome and Persia. They moved into Europe too, but were stopped by leaders like Charles Martel.

Birth of the Latin West

Main article: Barbarian kingdoms

After the Roman Empire fell, new groups began to build their own ways of living. In places like France and Italy, leaders started to create systems where people promised to help each other in return for protection. This was the start of a new way of life called feudalism.

Viking Age

Main article: Viking Age

During the Viking Age, people from Scandinavia traveled and traded far and wide. They visited places in Europe, Asia, Africa, and even North America. They were known for their ships and their skills in navigating the seas.

Eastern Europe

Main articles: Slavic migrations to the Balkans, Great Moravia, Duchy of Croatia, Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102), Principality of Serbia (early medieval), Christianization of the Slavs, Western Turkic Khaganate, Avar Khaganate, Khazar Khaganate, Old Great Bulgaria, and Magyars

Slavic tribes spread into parts of Europe left empty after other groups moved away. They formed new states like Great Moravia and the Duchy of Croatia. These areas became centers where different Christian beliefs met.

The Early Middle Ages saw the start of differences between Western and Eastern Europe. As new groups settled, they brought their own traditions and beliefs, shaping the cultures we see today.

Transmission of learning

Main article: Carolingian Renaissance

When the Western Roman Empire ended, cities became smaller, and fewer people could read or write. Schools moved to monasteries and cathedrals, where monks taught about the Bible. In some places like Italy and Spain, learning continued as before. Later, learning grew again in places like Ireland. In the 8th century, a leader named Charlemagne wanted people to learn more, so he started schools across his empire.

Byzantium, the Eastern Roman Empire, kept strong learning traditions. They studied grammar, Latin, Greek, and rhetoric, and read classic books. Monasteries became important places for keeping books safe and copying them. In Spain, Islamic scholars shared important math ideas with Europe, such as new ways to write numbers.

Christianity West and East

Main article: Christianity in the Middle Ages

Further information: Christianity in the 6th century, Christianity in the 7th century, and Christianity in the 8th century

From the early Christians, medieval Christians had a church with shared beliefs and a Bible. During the Early Middle Ages, the church was mostly made up of monasteries. These monasteries were not controlled by local rulers. The power of the Pope was small and mostly affected central Italy. Most people practiced their faith by attending services led by traveling monks.

The Early Middle Ages saw the growing divide between Eastern and Western Christianity. In the West, the Bishop of Rome, or Pope, became more powerful. Important Popes like Gregory I sent missionaries to convert people in places like the British Isles. In the East, the rise of Islam weakened the power of church leaders.

Europe in 1000

Further information: AD 1000

Many people think Europeans were worried the world would end in the year 1000, but only a few monks in France really believed this. Most people counted years by how long a king ruled, not by the "anno domini" system we use today.

Western Europe was less developed than places like the Islamic world or China. Big cities like Córdoba in Spain had more people than Rome or Paris. The Vikings traded across northern Europe, and groups like the Radhanites also helped move goods. England had hard times because of Viking raids, but later became stable again. Many places, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, turned to Christianity, which helped bring peace.

Cities in Italy began to grow again, and places like London, Bruges, and Ghent became important for trade. New ideas and ways of life started to appear, such as towns ruling themselves, the growth of cities, and the first universities. The church also became stronger and more organized during this time. On Christmas Day of 1000, Stephen I became the first king of Hungary, helping to bring stability to the country.

Middle East

Main article: Muslim history

Rise of Islam

Main articles: Spread of Islam, Early Muslim conquests, and Rashidun Caliphate

The rise of Islam began when Muhammad and his followers moved from Mecca to the city of Medina. This journey is called the Hijra. Muhammad led his community in Medina and worked to unite the Arabian region. He faced challenges but built a strong community.

Islamic expansion

Main article: Umayyad Caliphate

After Muhammad’s time, Muslim leaders expanded their influence. They spread their rule into places like Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and parts of North Africa. This expansion changed many regions and brought new cultures together.

Caliphs and empire

Main articles: Abbasid Caliphate and Islamic Golden Age

The Abbasid Caliphate was a time when Muslim scholars made big advances in science and medicine. They built a new capital in Baghdad. Their leaders helped spread knowledge to many lands. This was a golden age of learning for the Islamic world.

Timeline

Further information: Timeline of the Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages, also called the early medieval period, lasted from the late 400s to the 900s. This time began after the Western Roman Empire ended and led into the High Middle Ages.

During these years, many important events happened. The Visigoths led by Alaric I entered Rome in 410. In 476, Odoacer ended the rule of Romulus Augustus. Important leaders such as Charlemagne and Alfred the Great helped shape the future. The Viking Age began in 793 with raids, and new kingdoms like the First Bulgarian Empire and the Kingdom of Asturias were formed.