Final answer:
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe witnessed a period of political fragmentation and cultural transformation. The Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 CE; new kingdoms emerged while the Eastern Roman Empire survived as the Byzantine Empire. The legacy of Rome persisted, especially through the spread of Christianity.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the Fall of the Roman Empire
The collapse of the Roman Empire marked a significant transformation in world history. By the end of the fifth century, the once unified and powerful Roman Empire had fragmented into various successor kingdoms. The Western Roman Empire, conventionally said to have fallen in 476 CE, experienced political disarray, economic decline, and cultural changes. The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, however, continued to persist and evolve.
Historians have offered various explanations for the collapse, including internal corruption, barbarian invasions, environmental factors, and climate change. Nonetheless, the period after the fall saw the formation of numerous new kingdoms and was characterized by a mix of continuity and change. The Roman civilization left a lasting impact on Western civilization, most notably through the spread of Christianity, which became a dominant religion following the collapse.
As the dust settled, Europe entered a phase often referred to as the Dark Ages, followed by eventual rejuvenation during the Renaissance. The legacy of Rome continued to influence legal systems, governance, culture, and language in the successor states.