The Late Antique Period and Early Middle Ages (400 to 1000 AD)

The Late Antique period in the western Roman Empire lasted from the 4th century to the time Italy was invaded by the Lombards at the end of the 6th century. The early Middle Ages followed and ended around 1000 AD. During the Late Antique period the western Roman Empire came to an end, and the provinces fell under the domination of Germanic peoples. However, the Roman administrative organization was preserved. Christendom became increasingly popular. In the 6th century AD war raged for years between Byzantines, Lombards, and Franks about who would be the successors of the Roman Empire.