(Which of course resulted in the Germans eventually defeating Rome and occupying the core regions (Catalonia/Milan) where they are still dominant today in the core economic centers of those countries.
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I have seen modern research that shows that coastal cities along the northern Mediterranean coast of france italy and greece were all burned down about 650-700 AD. That they were not rebuilt for another 100 years and then only in heavily fortified garrisons further inland —suggesting that the cities were burned down by raiders from the sea.
Since this period coincides with the moslem seizure of north africa and spain —its thought the raiders were likely moslem; that the destruction of the roman world came at the hands of the moslems and not the Gauls who wanted rather to imitate the romans they conquered. That the dark ages were caused by the Moslems and not the Gauls.
Have you read the archaeology books on this?
If so what’s your take.
Once the Roman empire started to unravel, any area that (a) wasn't defended - thus open to attack; and (b) wasn't valuable - hence not rebuilt, would languish for years after being destroyed.
It's hard for people who haven't been to Europe - or even those that have only visited primary tourists zones - to understand just how incredibly vibrant & fertile certain regions (still) are. It was due to massive food surplus - combined with military technical advantages - that allowed Rome to deploy large, well trained and well supplied legions in the first place.
It is these temperate agricultural & commercial zones that the invading Germans occupied, defended and still reside & dominate. We know them by their modern names like the Po valley (Milan), Catalonia (Barcelona), France (Gaul), and London (Londinium).
Another tip off about history is the term 'dark ages'. This is phrase invented and used by promoters during the Renaissance who were advancing the ideals of art & literature. While the so-called dark ages lacked the finer arts, military technology was still advancing quite rapidly.
It's because each castle/region could deploy equal force that prevented anyone from 'running the table'. So, roads fell into disrepair and trade plummeted since no single force could ensure the peace. But it was due to ongoing military technologies that allowed nations to re-emerge as dominant players. This is turn led to stable kingdoms like France and Lombardy which them created enough foundation to once again allow the 'soft' arts to flourish.
See Mohammed and Charlemagne by Henri Pirenne, which was published in the late 1930s. His thesis was that what really ended classical civilization, destroyed the unity of the Mediterranean world, and cut off West from East was the Islamic invasions of the 7th century, not the Germanic ones of the 5th.
Probably correct, the muzzies were causing turmoil all over the Middle East and in the Balkans (attacking Constantinople).
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The muzzies took over much of southern europe in that period.
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