Introduction
The “Middle Ages,” also referred to as the “Dark Ages,” is the period in Western history between two great civilizations, namely Greco-Roman world and Renaissance Europe (“Lumen Learning,” n.d.). This period involved radical changes in religion, politics, and culture that shaped the world as we know and see it today. The early Middle Ages are characterized by conquests between empires and kingdoms in Europe, which shaped the course of history and the definition of historical borders, the rise of the Catholic Church in Europe, the construction of historical sites, and the development of some religious practices, and spread of Islam.
Main body
The first significant event from the early Middle Ages that shaped the course of history was the disintegration of Roman rule (475-476 CE). The fall of the Roman regime in Western Europe led to the rise of numerous Germanic kingdoms. After the disintegration, the Ostrogoths settled in Italy and the Balkans. The Visigoths settled in the Iberian Peninsula, the vandals in North Africa, and the Franks became France and Germany. The Angles and Saxons raided Roman Britannia and settled along the south-eastern coast, which is part of present-day England. These settlements map some of the current international borders known to us.
Another significant religious development of the early Middle Ages is the rise of monasticism. Monasticism became an important institution of Western civilization. Monasticism is a pious way of life where the members embrace asceticism to maximize righteousness to God (“Lumen Learning,” n.d.). The monastic tradition that became popular in Western Europe is Benedictine monasticism, founded by Benedict of Nursia (480-543 CE), who lived in a cave in Italy. Other monks appointed him to become their abbot, and he is known for building numerous monasteries, the most popular one being Monte Cassino. Benedict laid down a rule of life for his friars, which is the basis of clericalization in modern Roman catholic cloisters and monks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the church and the Roman rule in western Europe played a significant role in mapping the events of the Middle Ages. Even after its collapse, the Roman system of governance inspired other rulers, such as Justinian (r. 527-565) of the Byzantine empire, who dreamt of recreating the Universal Roman Empire. Through the establishment of the papacy and the establishment of monasteries, the church also helped in the spread of Christianity throughout Europe.
Reference
Lumen Learning. (n.d.). 2021, Web.