After the fall of the Western half of the ancient Roman Empire. This great civilization finally collapsed in 410 A.D.  mainly because of political corruption, barbarian invasion, financial collapse, poor leadership, and a move of the capital from Rome to Constantinople . The fall of the city was when it was stormed after a two-year siege by the Goths under King Alaric.  These barbarians were once allies to Rome during the defense against Attila. But they turned against their allies with greed and took advantage of a great but vulnerable, defenseless city. The city was sacked while the citizens were murdered, raped, enslaved and robbed. With the mother of the world and civilization dead, most learning, trade, education, and other forms of progress stalled. Eventually, the innovation of Rome was completely stopped, life in Europe began to regress. To a time that we now call the Dark Ages.

The Dark ages were a period between the Fall of Rome and the rebirth of progress called the Renaissance. These times were defined by Feudalism, plague and growth in the Catholic Church. One of the largest remnants the Roman Empire. 

One of the most prominent Kingdoms during the Dark ages was  the Frankish Empire. The founder of the Kingdom and all famous Merovingian dynasty was Clovis. A once pagan ruler turned Catholic who protected Christendom and  spread his empire. At about fifteen years of age, he took a small band of warriors that he had inherited. With these men he began to conquer each of the local tribes. One by one. Eventually, his once small kingdom stretched almost the size of Modern France.  Clovis was known as a brutal ruler. At any sign of a rebellion, he slaughtered any involved. Despite his brutality, Clovis offered  stability for his loyal subjects. In a time such as the Dark Ages, this spark of civilization was welcome.

Back in the Eastern half of the Roman Empire, Constantinople was still flourishing. Trade, education and progress was still active. The Emperor Justinian and his wife, Empress Theodora dreamed of reuniting the Empire by re-conquering the Latin West. Legions were sent to the old territory and were successful at re-conquering Italy and a few other regions in the West. However, at the death of the Emperor and his wife, the Eastern Empire pulled troops out of the newly re-conquered territory.  This was the end of any attempt to retake and revive the old Empire.