This comprehensive, well-balanced historical survey of Medieval Europe—from Roman imperial provinces to the Renaissance—covers all aspects of the history (political, literary, religious, intellectual, etc.) with a focus on social and political themes. It presents a complete picture of the complex process by which an ecumenical civilization that once ringed the basin of the Mediterranean Sea, evolved into three other distinctive civilizations—Latin Europe, Greek Eastern Europe and Asia Minor, and Islam. This text differs from others on the subject in that it attempts to abolish traditional clichés regarding the Middle Ages and promotes critical thinking about our own time and society.