The end of an empire and the beginning of the world
The empire strikes back: Justinian I and the reconquest of the west
Storm in the east: The rise of Islam
The new masters of Rome: The Popes
A new empire: The Carolingians
Devastation again: The new invasions of Europe
To reform and rebuild: The Eleventh-century reform movement
The clash of church and state: The investiture controversy
Growing kingdoms: England and France
The rise and fall of the Papal monarchy
Europe asunder: The Avignon Papacy and the great schism
Europe stands alone: The fall of Constantinople.