De Constantino a Maomé

Explore the fascinating transition from Antiquity to the Middle Ages! This period, also known as the Late Antiquity or Spätantike, marks a pivotal era in European history, spanning from the 3rd century CE's Crisis of the Third Century to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the late 5th century with the deposition of Romulus Augustulus by Alaric.

Discover the key figures who shaped this transformative time:

• Diocletian: His reforms significantly reorganized the Roman Empire.
• Constantine: His reign saw major shifts in religious and political landscape.
• Justinian: Known for his legal codification and imperial ambitions.
• Prominent Church Leaders: Understand the role of Christianity's growth and influence.

We'll delve into the historical, religious, and political factors that led to the formation of the Middle Ages and the end of the ancient world. Historians of German origin popularized the term Spätantike, with Alois Riegl initiating its use in the early 20th century. Peter Brown's work, The World of Late Antiquity (1971), revolutionized the understanding of this era, challenging traditional views of a stagnant classical culture and highlighting a period of renewal and innovation.

The Late Roman Empire under Diocletian (284-305 CE) and the Early Middle Ages share significant continuities. Scholars emphasize that the foundations of medieval culture were already taking shape within the Christianized Roman Empire, continuing to develop in the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) until the rise of Islam.

While Germanic tribes like the Ostrogoths and Visigoths often claimed to perpetuate Roman traditions, the term Late Antiquity emphasizes a break from the Classical past. Alternatives like "Lower Middle Ages" or "Early Byzantine" highlight this shift. The creation of Germanic kingdoms within the Western Roman Empire, starting with the treaty with the Goths in Aquitaine in 418, further underscores this transformation.

The decline in population, technological knowledge, and living standards across Europe during this period led Renaissance writers to view it as a prime example of social collapse. The relative scarcity of historical records from this era resulted in the period (roughly 5th century to the Carolingian Renaissance, or later) being labeled the "Dark Ages." However, this term has largely been replaced by Late Antiquity in modern historical periodization, particularly when discussing the late Western Roman Empire, the early Byzantine Empire, and the beginning of the Middle Ages.