THE MIDDLE AGES

The phrase Middle Ages tells us more about the Renaissance that followed it
than it does about the era itself.

Starting around the 14th Century.

EDWARD GIBBON

-Was an English Historian, writer and member of parliament.

-His most important work, the history of The Decline and Fall of the Roman
Empire, was publish in six volumes between 1776.

-He was born on May 8,1737 at London, United Kingdom

-His Died on January 6,1794 at London, United Kingdom

ROMAN EMPIRE

-Was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788 and is known for the
quality and irony of its prose.
ROMULUS AUGUSTUS

-Last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

-Was overthrown by barbarian invaders.

-Roman Emperor and alleged usurper who ruled the Western Roman Empire
from October 31 AD until September 4 AD 476.

-He is mostly known by his nickname ROMULUS AUGUSTULUS.

The beginning of modern times was marked by the following events:

FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (1453)
-Was the capture of the capital of the Byzantine Empire by an invading army of
the Ottoman Empire on 29 May 1453. The Ottomans were commanded by the 21 year
old Mehmed the Conqueror.
-Seventh Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, who defeated an army commanded by
Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos.
The conquest of Constantinople followed a 53 day siege that had began on 6
April 1453.
-The capture of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, a
continuation of the Roman Empire dating to 27BC, an imperial state lasting for nearly
1,500 years. The Ottoman conquest of Constantinople also dealt a massive blow to
Christendom, as the Muslim Ottoman armies thereafter were left unchecked to advance
into Europe without an adversary to their rear.
-It was also a watershed moment in military history. Since ancient time, cities had
used ramparts and city walls to protect themselves from invaders
-The conquest of the city of Constantinople and the end of the Byzantine Empire
was a key event in the late Middle Ages which also marks, for some historian, the end
of the Middle Ages.
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA (1492)
-CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DISCOVERS AMERICA 1492
Columbus led his three ships-the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria- out of the
Spanish port of Palos on August 3, 1492.
-His objective was to sail west until he reached Asia where the riches of gold,
pearl and spice awaited.