middle ages in the western world By faze_eugine Period: 408 to 450 German scholar, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen uses the term "Silkroad" (Seidenstrasse) for the first time Disappaerance of Rome in the West, growing Hun penetration south of Danube. 451 Council of Chalcedon, Marcian's rule Church council declaring Monophysitism to be heresy, Marcian's rejection of Hun tribute demands.