Historical Periods

The precise dating of historical periods varies greatly, from historian to historian and from geographic region to geographic region. Approximate dates for historical periods in Western Europe and Britain are given below. Wyrtig focuses primarily on the period from about 1 CE (late Classical) to about 1000 CE (Early Middle Ages), in Britain and France -- with occasional excursions beyond these boundaries.

Period

Dates

Comments

Ancient

4000 BCE to 600 BCE

Iron Age

The prehistoric period during which metal tools were primarily made of iron. In Britain, begins about 800 BCE and ends with Roman conquest.

Classical

600 BCE to 476 CE
 

Greek and Roman civilizations evolve and become dominant in Mediterranean; this period begins with the poetry of Homer, and ends with the death of the last Roman emperor.

From the first successful invasion of Britain in 42 CE to the departure of the legions in the late 5th century.

Middle Ages

476 to 1453 CE

The term "middle ages" comes from Latin medium aevum, middle era; medieval is the adjectival form.

   Early Middle Ages

476-1000 CE

Once called the “Dark Ages” (which roughly covered the time from the fall of the Roman Empire, c. 400 CE, to the reign of Charlemagne, c. 800 CE), this term is seldom used now, as we become better informed about the accomplishments of this period.

   High Middle Ages

1000-1300 CE

   Late Middle Ages

1300-1400 CE

The Middle Ages end at about the time of the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453.

Renaissance

1400–1650 CE

The Renaissance began in Italy and spread from there to northern Europe and Britain.

Modern Age

   Early Modern Age

   Industrial Age

1650 to present

1650-1700

 1700-present