But at the same time, the Germanic, Celtic, Christian, and Roman cultures were being woven together. This new civilization was called the “medieval civilization.” Medieval means “Middle Ages.” The Middle Ages lasted one thousand years, from the fall of the Roman Empire in A.D. 476 to about A.D. 1500.
Many of the invading Germanic and Celtic tribes had already heard of the gospel of Christ from travelers of the East. Many of the invaders converted to a form of Christianity called Catholicism. During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church grew in size and strength, replacing the Roman Empire as the unifying force in Western Europe. Because there was no longer a strong government like one that existed during the Roman Empire there needed to be something that would unify the many different groups/tribes of people that were inhabiting Rome and all of Western Europe. The Catholic church provided that unity because the ultimate authority,God did not come from a particular place but from Heaven. Had this not been the case, the course of Christianity and the history of Western Europe might have been very different.
Food For Thought
Once again we see the irony in the church and Christianity playing such a huge role in the survival of Roman people when in years previous Christians had been tortured and executed for practicing their faith.
Assignment
Imagine that you are a member of a noble family in the early Middle Ages. In 200 words or less, write a letter to the Pope thanking him for bringing order to your people. Tell him what you feared happening had God and the Catholic Church not intervened.
Do you think that fighting between all of the different groups of people would have ever stopped?
Do you think your family would have survived for much longer?
