The Early Middle Ages, or Dark Ages, is a period in the history of Europe following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It lasted from about AD 500 to 1000. The period featured raiding, migration, and conquest by Huns, Germanic peoples, Arabs, Vikings, Hungarians and others. There was frequent warfare and a virtual disappearance of urban life. By the eighth century, the volume of trade reached its lowest level since the Bronze Age. Islam, found...
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The Early Middle Ages, or Dark Ages, is a period in the history of Europe following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It lasted from about AD 500 to 1000. The period featured raiding, migration, and conquest by Huns, Germanic peoples, Arabs, Vikings, Hungarians and others. There was frequent warfare and a virtual disappearance of urban life. By the eighth century, the volume of trade reached its lowest level since the Bronze Age. Islam, founded by Mohammed, conquered the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. Toward the end of this period, Europe experienced a return to systematic agriculture in the form of the feudal system, which included such innovations as three-field planting and the heavy plow. The Early Middle Ages were followed by the High Middle Ages.
Starting in the second century, various indicators of Roman civilization began to decline, including urbanization, seaborne commerce, and population. Only 40 percent as many Mediterranean shipwrecks have been found for the...
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