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All this disappeared, however, by the fifth century ad, and when it was gone, Europe was plunged into darkness and despair, slavery and poverty.

It is more complicated than that. Arian Germanic tribes (followers of the heresy of Arius) conquered the Western part of Rome. Eastern part was destroyed by Muslims many centuries later.

It is more complicated than that

Not really. Those other complications came about after the Romans traded their freedom for the welfare state.

We're doing the same. The only question is: What will the dark ages be like this time around? Lotta high tech stuff now that will make warlord types very powerful!

Eastern part was destroyed by Muslims many centuries later.

The Eastern part was destroyed by the Roman Catholic Church between 1198-1205 .

Fourth Crusade

The Crusaders were still reluctant to attack fellow Christians, but the clergy convinced them that the Orthodox Byzantines were the next best thing to the Muslims.

Pope Innocent III

Innocent started the Fourth Crusade, which the Venetians re-directed into the sacking of Zara in 1202 and Constantinople in 1204.

This was a great blow to the unity of the Church and played a role in the Great Schism. Innocent excommunicated the Venetians in return.

The Fall Of Constantinople in 1452
Constantine appealed to Western Europe for help, but Pope Nicholas V was unwilling to support the Empire after the failed Council of Basel.

None of this should have happen and Rome lost a the Cathedral of St. Sophia Constantinople which is now a mosque.

I hope you will check out the links..