Explore reasons for the fall of Rome and the emergence of the ‘barbarian’ kingdoms of western Europe. Was it really ‘the Dark Ages’? Were the Vikings simply long-haired tourists who occasionally beat up the natives?
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This course charts the rise of Christianity within the Roman empire and charts the collapse of Roman rule in the West and the subsequent rise of the kingdoms of the Franks, the Visigoths and the Anglo-Saxons that form the precursors of ‘Europe’..
What will we cover?
This course explores how the factors that led to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West and the rise of the so-called successor states that filled the political vacuum. We begin with the reign of Constantine (306-337) who because he was the first Christian emperor, has always received a good press. We follow with a brief study of Julian the Apostate, comparing his reputation with Theodosius I and II. Other topics include: reasons for the fall of Rome: Justinian and Theodora, the rise and fall of the Carolingian Empire, and the rise of Islam. We end with the emergence of ‘German’ empire under the Ottomans.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
* Debate on reasons why Christianity became the dominant religion from the fourth century
• Identify two reasons for the fall of Rome
• Explain why the Arab conquests were rapid and successful
• Give an informed opinion as to the causes and consequences of the fall of the Carolingian empire
• Identify key issues faced by the German rulers
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for anyone with an enquiring mind and an enthusiasm for medieval history. No previous knowledge is necessary but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Each week there will be an informative talk, using PowerPoint, during which class discussion will be encouraged. We shall use small group work to analyse original sources and a range of handouts will be available for discussion purposes. Occasionally small pieces of homework reading will be distributed to augment your knowledge. You are encouraged to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. If you wish to purchase a book before the course I would recommend:Roger Collins, Early Medieval Europe 300-1000 (London: Red Globe Press, 2010).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs other than note-taking materials.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-emergence-of-europe-300-10001441408The emergence of Europe 300-1000https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/h/the-emergence-of-europe-heh84-square.jpg209209GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history22851177117811821228511771178<p>Explore reasons for the fall of Rome and the emergence of the ‘barbarian’ kingdoms of western Europe. Was it really ‘the Dark Ages’? Were the Vikings simply long-haired tourists who occasionally beat up the natives?</p>153041401The emergence of Europe 300-1000209209https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/h/the-emergence-of-europe-heh84-square_5.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH10209209The emergence of Europe 300-1000167136209Vanessa Kingthe-emergence-of-europe-300-1000/heh10-2627<p>Explore reasons for the fall of Rome and the emergence of the ‘barbarian’ kingdoms of western Europe. Was it really ‘the Dark Ages’? Were the Vikings simply long-haired tourists who occasionally beat up the natives?</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>This course charts the rise of Christianity within the Roman empire and charts the collapse of Roman rule in the West and the subsequent rise of the kingdoms of the Franks, the Visigoths and the Anglo-Saxons that form the precursors of ‘Europe’..</p><p>Explore reasons for the fall of Rome and the emergence of the ‘barbarian’ kingdoms of western Europe. Was it really ‘the Dark Ages’? Were the Vikings simply long-haired tourists who occasionally beat up the natives?</p><p>This course explores how the factors that led to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West and the rise of the so-called successor states that filled the political vacuum. We begin with the reign of Constantine (306-337) who because he was the first Christian emperor, has always received a good press. We follow with a brief study of Julian the Apostate, comparing his reputation with Theodosius I and II. Other topics include: reasons for the fall of Rome: Justinian and Theodora, the rise and fall of the Carolingian Empire, and the rise of Islam. We end with the emergence of ‘German’ empire under the Ottomans.</p><p> * Debate on reasons why Christianity became the dominant religion from the fourth century</p><p> • Identify two reasons for the fall of Rome</p><p> • Explain why the Arab conquests were rapid and successful</p><p> • Give an informed opinion as to the causes and consequences of the fall of the Carolingian empire</p><p> • Identify key issues faced by the German rulers</p><p>This course is for anyone with an enquiring mind and an enthusiasm for medieval history. No previous knowledge is necessary but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.</p><p>Each week there will be an informative talk, using PowerPoint, during which class discussion will be encouraged.<br>We shall use small group work to analyse original sources and a range of handouts will be available for discussion<br>purposes. Occasionally small pieces of homework reading will be distributed to augment your knowledge. You are<br>encouraged to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. If you wish to purchase a book before the course I would recommend:Roger Collins, Early Medieval Europe 300-1000 (London: Red Globe Press, 2010).</p><p>There are no additional costs other than note-taking materials.</p>HEH11The rise of Europe: 1000-1300.HistoryEuropean historyvirtual167209136HEH10NONEMon14/09/26 - 26/10/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:007 sessions (over 7 weeks)75-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetVanessa KingAvailable courses2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities209209The emergence of Europe 300-1000the-emergence-of-europe-300-1000/heh10-2627<p>Explore reasons for the fall of Rome and the emergence of the ‘barbarian’ kingdoms of western Europe. Was it really ‘the Dark Ages’? Were the Vikings simply long-haired tourists who occasionally beat up the natives?</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>This course charts the rise of Christianity within the Roman empire and charts the collapse of Roman rule in the West and the subsequent rise of the kingdoms of the Franks, the Visigoths and the Anglo-Saxons that form the precursors of ‘Europe’..</p><p>Explore reasons for the fall of Rome and the emergence of the ‘barbarian’ kingdoms of western Europe. Was it really ‘the Dark Ages’? Were the Vikings simply long-haired tourists who occasionally beat up the natives?</p><p>This course explores how the factors that led to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West and the rise of the so-called successor states that filled the political vacuum. We begin with the reign of Constantine (306-337) who because he was the first Christian emperor, has always received a good press. We follow with a brief study of Julian the Apostate, comparing his reputation with Theodosius I and II. Other topics include: reasons for the fall of Rome: Justinian and Theodora, the rise and fall of the Carolingian Empire, and the rise of Islam. We end with the emergence of ‘German’ empire under the Ottomans.</p><p> * Debate on reasons why Christianity became the dominant religion from the fourth century</p><p> • Identify two reasons for the fall of Rome</p><p> • Explain why the Arab conquests were rapid and successful</p><p> • Give an informed opinion as to the causes and consequences of the fall of the Carolingian empire</p><p> • Identify key issues faced by the German rulers</p><p>This course is for anyone with an enquiring mind and an enthusiasm for medieval history. No previous knowledge is necessary but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.</p><p>Each week there will be an informative talk, using PowerPoint, during which class discussion will be encouraged.<br>We shall use small group work to analyse original sources and a range of handouts will be available for discussion<br>purposes. Occasionally small pieces of homework reading will be distributed to augment your knowledge. You are<br>encouraged to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. If you wish to purchase a book before the course I would recommend:Roger Collins, Early Medieval Europe 300-1000 (London: Red Globe Press, 2010).</p><p>There are no additional costs other than note-taking materials.</p>HEH11The rise of Europe: 1000-1300.HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
