The Worlds of Medieval Europe

Clifford R. Backman is Associate Professor of History at Boston University

List of Maps
Preface to the Fourth Edition
Introduction: Why the Middle Ages Matter

PART ONE. The Early Middle Ages: The Third through Ninth Centuries
1. The Roman World at its Height
The Geography of Empire
The Role of the Military
Roman Society
Roman Government
The Challenges of the Third Century
Reform, Recovery, Persecution, and Favor
Suggested Reading
Key Terms

2. The Rise of Christianity
Before Christ
The Growth of the New Religion
The Problem of Persecution
The Problem of Heresy
Constantine and Theodosius: An Imperial Church
Responses to Imperialization
Suggested Reading
Key Terms

3. Early Germanic Society
Germanic Life
Migrations and Invasions
Europe's First Kingdoms
Germanic Christianity and the Fourth