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The early Middle Ages refers to the period of time between about 500 CE and 800 CE, marked by the waning power of the Western Roman Empire and the migration of several "barbaric" tribes south into lands previously controlled by the Romans. Some of these peoples distrusted and rejected the principles of the classical Roman culture, but others, most notably the Goths, admired it.
For many years, the migration of peoples was seen as a sort of barbaric invasion, quickly and violently sweeping much of Europe. However, historians now claim this is an inaccurate representation. Rather than a swift conquest, the migration took place over several decades, such as in the case of the Franks entering Gaul. Many of these tribe retained their leadership in these new lands, leading to a breakdown of the established government. The fall of the centralized power of Rome forced control over the people into the hands of powerful families which developed into localised governmental systems led by dukes and counts.
These lands remained predominantly Christian as conquering tribes retained much of the local traditions and themselves converted to Christianity, following the example of the pagan Frank Clovis I. The Catholic Church remained the one unifying cultural influence throughout Europe, preserving the art of writing, and maintaining a centralized administration through a network of bishops. Nonetheless, the breakdown of a centralized government caused a setback in learning, despite the Catholic churches best efforts. Trading between territories became treacherous, and as such commerce came to a grinding halt, and with it the spread of knowledge.
Outside of the urbanized areas surrounding cities, administrative control was further forced into the hands of local lords, setting the groundwork of the feudal system. The emergence of nations and the subsequent battles for power and control would mark the second portion of the Middle Ages, referred to as the High Middle Ages.
In the east, the Eastern Roman Empire (also referred to as the Byzantine Empire) maintained a centralized control over Asia Minor, Greece, the island of Sicily, and much of southern Italy. The eastern emperors claimed that they had the right to rule over the western territories that later proved to be a political fiction. Nonetheless, the east and west would continue to vy for power whilst continuing to spread Christianity throughout the conquered lands.
The seemingly endless internal conflicts during this period left much of Europe open to invasion from the Muslims, who conquered much of the Mediterranean, Spain and North Africa, threatening a still weak Catholic Church.
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