Question

This week, we have seen that the world witnessed a great deal of change from 400-900. What do you think were the TWO most significant changes/differences? Your answers can extend to religion, politics, and culture. Please be sure to refer to specific elements of the ancient world while contrasting it to what you learned about the Middle Ages this week.

Answer 1

1). In A.D 455 vandals attacked Rome and destroyed the Roman empire. In the Roman History it was very significant. Ity changed the ancient Roman cultures and its religion. On that year Valentinian III was killed with the conspiracy of Petronius Maximum. After the death of the Roman king, Maximums became king of Rome and he married the widow of Valentinian. Valentinian’s widow Licinia Eudoxia was very angry to Maximums.

However, in his life time, Roman emperor Valentinian had good relation with Vandal king Genseric. Maximumums knew that and he wanted to make good relation with Theodosian dynasty. His intention was to strengthen power. In the mean time Licinia tried to get the help of Vandal king to take revenge of her husband’s murder.

However, the Vandal king Genseric attacked Rome as he said that the treaty between them was no more valid. He managed to capture the city of Rome. Maximums was killed. The Vandal king did not kill the innocent Romans as he had promised the Pope. But the vandals looted a huge wealth. They also took many Romans as their slaves. Licinia was also captured. But she remained with her former status.

2). In 570 A.D Hazrat Muhammad was born. It is very important year to the Muslim people. At the age of six he lost his parents and nourished under the care of his Abd al-Muttalib. He spent many days in the cave of mountain Hira and got the message. It is said that he was visited by Gabriel. Then he started preaching the Islamic religion. He is called the great prophet and messenger of God.

At first he faced great hostility in spreading Islam in polytheists occupied Mecca. He was forced to leave Mecca and took shelter in Medina. There he collected many followers from different tribes and attacked Mecca. At last he succeeded in occupying Mecca. Then the spread of Islam started. Muhammad’s return from Medina to Mecca is called Hijra.