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Ancient History

476 AD: The Fall of Rome and the Birth of the Dark Ages

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12. The Spread of Christianity

old st peter's basilica, rome, about the year 1450 restored from ancient authorities
A 19th-century drawing by Henry William Brewer of Old St. Peter’s Basilica, built in 318 by Constantine the Great. Source: Wikipedia

As the Western Empire fragmented, the Christian Church stepped in to fill the void of authority and order. The Church’s influence spread rapidly throughout Europe, offering spiritual guidance and a sense of unity in a time of uncertainty. Bishops and missionaries played key roles in converting barbarian kings and their peoples. According to BBC, Christianity became the primary force binding together the patchwork of post-Roman kingdoms.

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