Ancient Europe Facts for Kids | Through the Millennia, Events, Changes

The annals of ancient Europe are steeped in a rich tapestry of history, where the Neolithic era, dating back to approximately 7000 BCE, marked the inception of significant migrations. These vast movements from the east to the southeast ushered in agriculture, technological advancements, and the Indo-European languages. The Balkan Peninsula and the Black Sea region served as the crossroads for this transformative journey. Among the many chapters of European history, the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations shone brightly during the Bronze Age, flourishing until their eventual decline around 1200 BCE. Unveiling the hidden gems of this bygone era, we embark on a voyage to explore Europe’s fascinating prehistoric and ancient past.

Table of Contents

Exploring Key Historical Insights

Prehistory of Europe: A Tapestry Unfolds

Europe’s history finds its roots in the deep past, with the arrival of modern humans, potentially as early as 55,000 BCE, but most certainly by 35,000 BCE. This marked the beginning of an era characterized by significant societal and technological advances. In the wake of the last major Pleistocene glacier, a period of dramatic transformation ensued. Farming rapidly gained traction, leading to the establishment of permanent towns from the 7th millennium BCE, laying the foundation for future European civilization.

A monument from Ancient Europe in 3150 BC, found in Malta

Paleolithic Settlements: The Dawn of Humanity

The journey of humanity in Europe commenced with the arrival of Homo erectus, who ventured into the continent prior to the appearance of modern humans. The emergence of anatomically modern humans in Europe, referred to as Early European modern humans, dates back to 45,000 BCE. Key archaeological sites like Riparo Mochi in Italy, Geissenklösterle in Germany, and Isturitz in Austria shed light on Europe’s ancient history. Transitional civilizations like Uluzzian in Italy and Greece, Altmühlian in Germany, Szeletian in Central Europe, and Châtelperronian in the southwest paved the way for the Upper Palaeolithic technology. The Aurignacian civilization, which originated in regions like the Levant and Hungary, played a pivotal role in advancing these technologies, eventually spreading throughout Europe by 35,000 BCE.

The Neolithic Period: Dawn of Agriculture

The Neolithic era saw evidence of permanent habitation in the Balkans dating back to the 8th millennium BCE. Central and northern Europe experienced the arrival of Neolithic communities in the sixth and fourth millennia BCE, respectively. The Indo-European migrations, commencing around 4200 BCE through the Black Sea and the Balkan peninsula, were instrumental in shaping Europe’s linguistic landscape. An astonishing archaeological discovery at the Varna Necropolis revealed elaborately crafted golden artifacts from 4569 to 4340 BCE, representing the world’s earliest gold treasure. Bulgaria, a land rich in prehistoric findings, boasts an array of treasures such as those in Hotnitsa, the Kurgan village of Yunatsite, and the Kurgan settlement of Provadia–Solnitsata.

Minoans and Mycenaeans (2000-1100 BCE): A Tale of Two Cultures

The Minoans, known as Europe’s earliest renowned literary culture, thrived in the Bronze Age on the Greek island of Crete from the 27th century BCE to the 15th century BCE. British archaeologist Arthur Evans’ pioneering work in the early 20th century brought this civilization to light. Their legacy served as a vital link in the European cultural chain. The Mycenaeans succeeded the Minoans, their civilization flourishing from 1600 BCE as they absorbed influences from Minoan Crete. The Mycenaeans expanded their dominion, even reaching the heart of the Minoan civilization in Crete. Unlike the Minoans, whose influence grew through trade, the Mycenaeans extended their reach through conquest, characterized by a military aristocracy. The enigmatic end of the Mycenaean civilization around 1200 BCE remains a subject of debate, often attributed to the Dorian invasion, among other theories. The dawn of the 11th century BCE ushered in the protogeometric period, marking the start of the geometric period and the Greek Dark Ages.

Early Antiquity: The Greek and Roman Legacy

The enduring legacies of the Greeks and Romans resonate throughout Europe’s history, leaving their indelible mark on languages, philosophy, art, and legal systems. Ancient Greece, a collection of city-states, introduced the world to the concept of democracy. Athens, under the leadership of Pericles, became a hub of intellectual and cultural flourishing, fostering the likes of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The teachings of these prominent thinkers endured, imparting profound wisdom to subsequent generations. Alexander the Great, King of Macedon, expanded Hellenistic culture through his military campaigns, extending it to the banks of the Indus River. The Roman Republic’s triumph over Carthage in the Punic Wars marked a turning point in its history, ushering in the era of the Roman Empire. With the ascension of Julius Caesar, Rome was poised for transformation. His successor, Octavian, who took the titles Augustus and Divi filius (Son of God), marked the shift from a republic to an empire. The Roman Empire, spanning over 15 centuries, bore witness to numerous transformations and challenges, ultimately culminating in the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476.

Late Antiquity and Migration Period: A Shifting Landscape

The Emperor Constantine’s ascension in 312 AD, marked by his victory under the banner of the cross, signaled a profound shift. His Edict in 313 declared Christianity as a legitimate faith within the Roman Empire. Constantinople, formerly Byzantium, emerged as the new capital. Theodosius I solidified Christianity as the official religion, ruling over a unified Roman Empire until his death in 395. Following his passing, the Roman Empire split into two halves—the Western Roman Empire in Ravenna and the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, centered in Constantinople. The Western Roman Empire faced a succession of invasions by various barbarian tribes, eventually falling to Odoacer, a Heruli leader, in 476. The empire’s collapse resulted in a power vacuum, creating opportunities for new entities to emerge.

The Feudal System and Regional Hierarchies

As the Roman authority waned, the feudal system and regional hierarchies emerged as vital institutions in Europe. Feudalism and manorialism became integral to the division of property and labor, forming the foundation of law and protection. These regional hierarchies revolved around the relationships between the populace, their land, and local rulers. The fate of peasants often hinged on the leadership and justice provided by their respective lords. In contrast to the uniformity of Roman rule, each lord, while subject to a higher-ranking lord, exercised a significant degree of sovereignty in their domain. This evolving system saw periods of both increased hierarchy and autonomy, influenced by time and geography.

Illustration from the 13th century showing the feudal system

Interested to learn more about the Middle Ages?

Emergence of Dominant Powers

The evolving landscape witnessed the rise of three prominent Western powers: the Franks, led by the Merovingian dynasty, encompassing modern France and Germany (481-843 CE); the Visigothic kingdom, dominating the Iberian Peninsula (418-711 CE); and the Ostrogothic kingdom (493-553 CE), stretching across Italy and parts of the western Balkans. These powerful entities blended Roman and Germanic traditions, forging a unique fusion. Despite their dominance, the lack of the vast resources and centralized administration of the Roman Empire meant that the new kingdoms faced significant challenges in governing extensive regions and communities.

Legacy of East and West

The Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantium, played a pivotal role in the Eastern Mediterranean. While the Western Roman Empire succumbed to invasions, Byzantium stood resilient against external threats. The Eastern Roman Empire became a stronghold of Roman traditions, preserving and disseminating knowledge. Over time, the Western Roman Empire shifted from the Roman Senate’s rule to monarchy, heralding the rise of Charlemagne. Under Charlemagne’s leadership, the Carolingian Empire flourished, and he was anointed Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III in 800. This marked the dawn of the Holy Roman Empire, a Germanic Roman Empire in the west. Charlemagne’s rule extended over vast territories, but his demise saw the emergence of new forces and kingdoms, including the Kievan Rus’, Great Moravia, and the consolidation of the Angles and Saxons.

Challenges and Transformations

In the sixth century, the Eastern Roman Empire faced a series of confrontations, first with the Persian Sassanid Empire and later with the emergence of the Islamic Caliphate, specifically the Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates. The Islamic forces advanced, ultimately conquering territories such as Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Hispania, and southern Italy in the 7th and 8th centuries. The expansion of the Bulgarian Empire played a pivotal role in halting the Arab onslaught from the east.

Continued Exploration of Europe’s Ancient Past

Journeying through the vast tapestry of ancient Europe, this narrative offers a glimpse into the continent’s diverse and evolving history. The civilizations, migrations, and legacies showcased here paint a vivid picture of the complex tapestry of Europe’s past, providing a foundation for understanding its contemporary identity and heritage.