Europe's history has greatly affected the history of the world - Columbus, Galileo, Da Vinci, Shakespeare and Michelangelo are names that bring to mind images of achievement, invention, and great works of art and Europe is home to some of the greatest accomplishments in the history of the world.
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| A doctor during the period known as the Black Death |
However, Europe also has a dark side - Viking invasions from the north, terrible plague, religious wars, struggles for power between popes and kings, and slavery.
Massive fortresses of defense (castles) and tall, breathtaking churches (cathedrals) can be found scattered today throughout Europe's vast countryside, and they are symbols of Europe's great wealth and power.
Italy was the center of trade and culture and gave birth to a period of time known as the Renaissance. Literature, art, and architecture transformed Europe and caused many to question the teachings of the Roman Catholic church. Many Christians left the church and became known as Protestants.
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| Galileo - the father of modern scien |
Science was soon to follow with theories about the universe and the forces of nature. These ideas would push the boundaries of thought and reason and inspire others to continue the quest for knowledge and truth through experimentation and observations.
Soon, a discovery by an explorer named Columbus would change Europe's (and the rest of the world) view forever. This discovery would challenge the teachings of some of the greatest early philosophers including Aristotle, and would lead to a revolution of thought - from science to religion.
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| Columbus discovers a New World in 1492 |
