1. Middle Ages When Civilization Collapses

2. Byzantines The Roman Empire lived on in the Byzantine Empire to the East The Byzantines would carry on Roman culture and traditions for 1000 years after the fall of Rome. Constantinople because of its geographic location would serve as a center for trading.

3. Byzantines The Empire would reach its height under Justinian who ruled from 527 to 565 He is most famous for his law code which was a revision and organization of all the laws of Ancient Rome. His wife Theodora is going to help bring forth womens rights as well as help save the empire

4. The Great Schism Roman religious culture and the Greek centered Byzantine culture would eventually stretch the two factions to the breaking point The split happened over the use of Icons in religious services, as well as other issues In 1054 the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Pope excommunicated each other

5. Russia Early Russian civilization is centered around Kiev which was a trading center closely linked with Constantinople Christianity would spread to Russia quickly because of this close trading link Mongols would eventually conquer the region As Mongol power declined local princes would start to rebell Ivan III would eventually become the ruler of Russia and conquer a great deal of territory under the Russian banner

6. Europe After the fall of Rome Europe will fracture into many small kingdoms One of the most powerful is that of the Franks under the rule of Clovis Clovis will convert to Christianity making his kingdom an important tool for the Catholic church Muslims would invade the kingdom in 732 CE and would be defeated by a descendent of Clovis, Charles Martel

7. Franks The grandson of Charles Martel would be Charlemagne, or Charles the Great He would unite France, Germany and part of Italy under his rule Charlemagne would march his armies to Rome in defense of the Pope and would be proclaimed Emperor of the Romans

8. After Charlemagne After his death his kingdom would be eventually split by his grandchildren.

9. The Plague The Bubonic Plague was a fatal disease that spread across Europe from Asia It was spread by fleas It would eventually wipe out around 50% of the population of Europe