The Middle Ages is commonly referred to as the period between the fall of the Roman Empire in Western Europe and the Renaissance, and in this lively program, students will delve into a comprehensive overview of the people, places and events that defined this period. From Charlemagne through the legendary Crusades and the horrific Black Death, students will garner a feel for the era -- focusing on the three distinct eras of medieval time.
The origin of Rome is marked by the legend of the bickering brothers Romulus and Remus. The city was named for the prevailing brother, Romulus, and it flourished to become the origin of a powerful empire. Citizens of Rome became rich traders and landowners thanks to an organized agricultural system and prosperous trade, and mass migration from other nations began.
At the height of its rule, the Holy Roman Empire extended from Sicily to the North Sea. From Charlemagne to Napoleon, through crusades and conquests, witness the powerful unification of Emperor and Church that lasts for over a 1,000 years and changed the political and spiritual landscape of Europe. The discovery of the New World, the Protestant Reformation, and finally, the French Revolution all contributed to the decline and eventual fall of the Holy Empire.
The Roman Empire was born almost three thousand years ago in central Italy and left a deep and lasting imprint on the history of Western civilization. "All roads lead to Rome," and Romans exported their goods to and integrated cultures from every corner of the known world. However, after the rise of the empire in 31 BCE, environmental problems, disease and political corruption took their toll.
