Start of Middle Ages

Roman emperor Constantine has a vision before a key battle, he orders troops to put a cross on their shield and
they win. Becomes Empire's official religion by 380 A.D. While Christianity strengthens, Rome weakens. The last Emperor is a
14-year-old boy named Romulus Augustulus in 476. The European Middle Ages lasted from 500-1500 A.D. This period had roots in classical Rome, Roman Catholicism, and the customs of Germanic tribes. Germanic invaders overran the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century and education greatly decreased. Small Germanic kingdoms arose in 400-600 and the Church survived to influence these leaders.