<b>The Middle Ages<b>

The expression "Middle Ages" has been employed by Western civilization to define
the 1000 years that span European history from roughly 500 to 1500 AD. The begi
nning of the Middle Ages is marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the
generally accepted end of classical ancient history. The end of the Middle Ages
is noted by the beginning of the Renaissance (the "rebirth" of Europe). Events m
arking the end of the period include the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the fir
st use of the printing press in 1456, the European discovery of the Americas in
1492, the Protestant Reformation, triggered by Martin Luther in 1517, and the fl
owering of the arts in Italy. The Middle Ages thus fall in the middle between an
cient and modern history.
Historic periods in Asia and the Middle East do not fit easily into the concept
of a European Middle Age. China evolved gradually from prehistoric times up to t
he advent of Western modern history without the great disruptions that befell Eu
rope. China passed under the control of several dynasties and suffered from inva
sion, but the basic culture progressed steadily. Japan progressed steadily, as w
ell, and was left largely alone. The history of the Middle East fits together mo
re closely with the European Middle Ages because these two regions were adjacent
and shared many interactions.