games-pc empire earth Manuel D’Utilisation
Empire Earth
79
Dark Age (0 – 900 AD)
Not long after iron superseded bronze, early civilisation reached its peak with the incompara-
ble Roman Empire. When the Empire finally collapsed, it brought about what has been called
the Dark Ages. There are numerous reasons for the decline and fall of Rome, chief among
them military defeats at the hands of the so-called barbarian tribes. In 378 AD Gothic horse-
men trounced the Romans at the Battle of Adrianople, foreshadowing the dominance of caval-
ry that was to come. The city of Rome itself was sacked in 410 AD by the Visigoths.
ble Roman Empire. When the Empire finally collapsed, it brought about what has been called
the Dark Ages. There are numerous reasons for the decline and fall of Rome, chief among
them military defeats at the hands of the so-called barbarian tribes. In 378 AD Gothic horse-
men trounced the Romans at the Battle of Adrianople, foreshadowing the dominance of caval-
ry that was to come. The city of Rome itself was sacked in 410 AD by the Visigoths.
After Rome’s collapse, pockets of civilisation continued to exist, most notably in the
Byzantine or “Eastern Roman” Empire. Its capital at Constantinople was established in 330
AD by Roman Emperor Constantine, who also legitimized Christianity in the Roman world.
The Eastern Roman Empire continued on for some 1,000 years after the fall of its Western
counterpart, becoming a power in its own right. Byzantine warships were formidable vessels
that made use of the latest rigging and armament technologies, such as the lateen sail and bal-
listae capable of hurling missiles hundreds of yards. On land, the core of the Byzantine army
after the 8th Century was the cataphract, a heavily armed and armored cavalryman.
Byzantine or “Eastern Roman” Empire. Its capital at Constantinople was established in 330
AD by Roman Emperor Constantine, who also legitimized Christianity in the Roman world.
The Eastern Roman Empire continued on for some 1,000 years after the fall of its Western
counterpart, becoming a power in its own right. Byzantine warships were formidable vessels
that made use of the latest rigging and armament technologies, such as the lateen sail and bal-
listae capable of hurling missiles hundreds of yards. On land, the core of the Byzantine army
after the 8th Century was the cataphract, a heavily armed and armored cavalryman.
Emperors in Constantinople wanted – and even tried – to regain full control of the splintered
Western Empire. But widening religious differences led the Roman Catholic church to resist
reunification. In 800 AD, after Charlemagne, the Frankish King, had taken over Western
Europe, Pope Leo III crowned him the new Roman Emperor mainly to protect Rome from the
Byzantines. The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches remain separate to this day.
Western Empire. But widening religious differences led the Roman Catholic church to resist
reunification. In 800 AD, after Charlemagne, the Frankish King, had taken over Western
Europe, Pope Leo III crowned him the new Roman Emperor mainly to protect Rome from the
Byzantines. The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches remain separate to this day.