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The 7000 mile route spanned China, Central Asia, Northern India, and the Parthian and Roman Empires. It connected the Yellow River Valley to the Mediterranean Sea and passed through places such as Chinese cities Kansu and Sinkiang and present-day countries Iran, Iraq and Syria. Beginning in 220 AD it connected many countries and regions, promoting trade and wealth for daring merchants. The Silk Road brought diversity which can be described as the diversity we see in America today.
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Many historians agree that the fall of the Roman Empire was marked by the end of the reigns of 5 good emperors in 476 AD. St. Jerome wrote his observations “Oh wretched Empire! Mayence [Mainz, Germany], formerly so noble a city, has been taken and ruined….. I cannot speak without tears….. Who could believe this? How could the whole tale be worthily told? How Rome has fought within her own bosom not for glory, but for preservation - nay, how she has not even fought, but with gold and all her
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but with gold and all her precious things has ransomed her life....Who could believe that Rome, built upon the conquest of the whole world, would fall to the ground?”. This account clearly depicts the fall that was plagued with the death of patriotism, corruption, and economic decline. The end of the empire marked the end of Classical Antiquity and an age of disorder, savage living, barbarians, and constant warfare; however, it was the beginning of the European Middle Ages.
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It was estimated that Charlemagne was born in 742 AD and became king after Carloman’s death in 771 AD. Einhard, wrote and account on Charlemagne, describing him as the “most potent prince with the greatest skill and success in different countries.” Under his rule, he encouraged revival of learning, calling for scholars, opening schools in monasteries, and production of latin books.
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Charlemagne made the greatest empire since the time of ancient Rome. He spread Christianity and prosperity that had been lost in Europe for some time.
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The Abbasid Empire came to power in 750 AD. The empire was full of prosperity in the Muslim culture. Following Muhammad’s words “Acquire knowledge. It enableth its possessor to distinguish right from wrong….it guideth us to happiness….it is an ornament amongst friends, and an armour against enemies” the Islamic empire expanded in areas of medical advancement, science, art, philosophy, and mathematics.
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medical advancement, science, art, philosophy, and mathematics. One distinct significance in the Abbasid Empire was the translation of ancient greek text and writings, that have been long lost language to Europeans. Thanks to the muslims we currently study and enjoy the writings of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, who still influence our beliefs in politics and rights.
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The Italian Renaissance emerged during the 1300’s, after the fall of the Middle Ages and the devastation brought by the Bubonic plague. It was an age of “re-birth” of the qualities and philosophies of ancient ideas and also the new. Art played a pivotal role in the Italian Renaissance and it is what most people think about when it comes to the Renaissance.
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The artworks defined the renaissance, and what it stood for. Many pieces showed religious influences and new styles that contrasted to medieval art. If there was no age of “re-birth”, there would be no Mona Lisa, Michelangelo, and the Medici family, who are still know today and are still appreciated today.
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While people around the world enjoyed the wonders of the Italian renaissance, another age of “rebirth” began in the northern region of Europe. In contrast the southern renaissance, the northern renaissance was more based on religious ideal—the religious reformation. There was corruption in the Catholic Church, who sold indulgences, sold positions in the church to the highest bidder, and its religious leaders slowly faltered in their faith in God.
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One noted reformer was Martin Luther, who nailed the 95 theses to door of the Catholic Church and translated the bible which had long been always read in Latin, which many did not know how to read. After while, many started leaving the Catholic Church to follow different faction of Protestantism and slowly lost power, and was later force to make reformations themselves, although the changes were little.
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Born in the year 1451, he was destined to be the first European to voyage to the “New World”, where he believe he could find a passage that would go across the globe and reach India. During his time, Europe was mad for Asian goods for all the stories and the goods themselves. They had precious spices, silk, and other priceless objects that were out for trade. Funded by the monarchs of Portugal, Columbus encountered the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic)
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encountered the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola and met with the leaders of the native population. Many historians argue the legitimacy of Columbus being the first to discover the “new world” since the natives already occupied it and the Vikings had an encounter before the Europeans; however, one thing is evident. He brought two worlds unknown to meet each other for the first time on a small island.
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Born in Naissus, roughly around AD 285, Constatine was elevated to the rank of Caesar after renowned military service, in AD 293. In AD 312, in the fight against Maxentius at the Battle at the Milvian Bridge, Constantine claimed to have had a vision on the way to Rome. In this dream he saw the 'Chi-Ro', the symbol of Christ, shining above the sun. Seeing this as a divine sign, it was told that Constantine had his soldiers paint the symbol on their shields. Following this action, came the defeat
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paint the symbol on their shields. Following this action, came the defeat of the numerically stronger army of Maxentius. Constantine saw this victory as directly related to the vision he had had the night before. Soon after he became not only an important militant, he became the first Christian emperor in the Roman world who ended the long and bloody persecution of the Christians.
