Midevil Times

Part II: Essay #2

Middle Ages were a period in history of Europe that lasted from about 350 to about 1450 AD. The western half of the Roman Empire began to section into smaller, weaker kingdoms at the beginning of the Middle Ages. Many European states had taken shape by the end of the Middle Ages.

There was no one particular event that ended the ancient world and began the Middle Ages. In fact, no one who lived in what is now called the Middle Ages ever thought of themselves as living in it. In the middle Ages, people thought they were living in modern times, just as people do today.

Since the Middle ages covered such a large span of time, historians divided it into three parts: the early Middle Ages, lasting from about 350 to about 1050; the High Middle Ages, lasting from 1050 to about 1300; and the Late Middle Ages, lasting from about 1300 to about 1450.

Historians used to believe that most of the cultural, economic, and political achievements of the Middle Ages occurred in the second period, and because of this they called that period "High". Only recently, as the accomplishments of the Early and Late Middle Ages have gained appreciation, has this term fallen into disuse. Today, historians often use a more neutral name, the Central Middle Ages.

The institutions of the Middle Ages rooted from those of the Roman Empire. By 200 this included much of what are now Western Europe, Turkey, and North Africa. There is much talk today about the transformations of the Roman world. This period of change usually measured from about 350 to 600, was the result of problems that had been building for some time.

The rise of the Roman Empire began when it was no longer a republic because Augustus was a dictator. He restored order to Rome. The Pax Romana period held 200 years of peace within Rome. It had admirable results on the empire. The Pax Romana extended the borders of Rome to Asia Minor and also secured its frontiers. It brought order, a good government, and prosperity. There were roads built , harbors improved, cleared forests, drained swamps, and turned unused land into farms. They built new cities and even expanded old ones, and brought good from all over the empire into Rome. Many aspects of Rome changes and the Romans expanded on Greek culture. The Greeks were brought after the conquests as slaves to live with the Romans. They were supposed to teach them the laws and legal traditions of Greece. For the government and law, the Romans added their organization, engineering, and talent. Poets such as Virgil, Horace, Ovid; wrote about Roman propaganda, criticism of the wealthy Romans, and some defended the wealth. Sculptures were not being made realistically.

The Romans were big on architecture during the high Middle Ages. They used the arch, which saved them on building costs. They used a lot of concrete so that their structures would last. This proved to work because some of the things built in the Roman Empire are still in use today. The Romans for more practical things used the sciences. They understood the planet system, but they believed earth to be at the center. They also used basic concepts of math, geography, and astronomy.

Their Marcus Aurelius thought of basic philosophy. He said that people should live simple lives, control their emotions, and be self- sufficient.

The Roman society was based upon a class system. The upper class consisted of wealthy landowners, doctors, lawyers, and merchants. Some writers, artist, and scholars also lived a pretty good life. The poor did not get to take part in culture or politics.

Warfare, plague, and conflicts within the Catholic Church made the late Middle Ages a difficult period for nearly everyone. The long and exhausting Hundred Years' War between England and France had dramatic consequences in both countries.

All Europeans had to contend with another plague known as "Black Death". The so-called "Black Death"