In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or Medieval Period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. Middle Ages Chapter 1 : History of Middle Ages Chapter 2 : Later Roman Empire Chapter 3 : Early Middle Ages 3.1 Byzantine survival 3.2 Western society 3.3 Rise of Islam 3.4 Trade and economy 3.5 Church and monasticism 3.6 Carolingian Europe 3.7 Carolingian Renaissance 3.8 Breakup of the Carolingian Empire 3.9 New kingdoms and Byzantine revival 3.10 Art and architecture 3.11 Military and technological developments Chapter 4 : High Middle Ages 4.1 Rise of state power 4.2 Crusades 4.3 Intellectual life 4.4 Technology and military 4.5 Architecture, art, and music 4.6 Church life Chapter 5 : Late Middle Ages 5.1 War, famine, and plague 5.2 Society and economy 5.3 State resurgence 5.4 Collapse of Byzantium 5.5 Controversy within the Church 5.6 Scholars, intellectuals, and exploration 5.7 Technological and military developments 5.8 Late medieval art and architecture Chapter 6 : Modern perceptions Chapter 7 : Dark Ages 7.1Reformation 7.2 Baronius 7.3 Enlightenment 7.4 Romanticism Chapter 8 : Modern academic use Chapter 9 : Modern popular use 9.1 Medieval studies 9.2 Historiographical development Chapter 10 : Europeans in Medieval China 10.1 Ancient Romans 10.2 Byzantine Empire 10.3 Merchants 10.4 Missionaries and diplomats 10.5 Captives Chapter 11 : Spread of Chinese gunpowder