What happened before the middle ages?

Answer 1

Before the Middle Ages was Anquity.

Answer 2

From a historical standpoint it is commonly referred to as "ancient history" and lasted (roughly) from 3500 BC to 900 AD.

To give a name besides "ancient history" to time before the Middle ages you would need to express it in geological Prehistoric periods, in which case you could say the "iron age" which lasted roughly from the 1300 BC to 1000 AD (you'll notice the dates are measured differently). The "iron age" was preceded by the "bronze age" and before that the "copper age".

Answer 3

The Middle Ages came after the ancient period. They began with the fall of the Roman Empire of the West in 476 and ended with the fall of the Roman Empire of the East (Byzantine Empire) in 1453.

Answer 4

That would be Classical Antiquity, which ended with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in late 400s to early 500s AD.

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Answer 5

The Dark Ages