Name the period of European history that followed the fall of the Roman Empire.

The period that followed the fall of the Roman Empire is known as the Middle Ages. This era, which lasted roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century, is characterized by the transformation of European society, culture, and economy following the decline of Roman power.

During the Middle Ages, Europe saw the rise of feudalism, a system where land was held in exchange for service, which significantly reshaped social structures. Additionally, this era is marked by the spread of Christianity and the establishment of various kingdoms and empires. The Middle Ages is also divided into three sub-periods: the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages, each with its own distinct developments.

While terms like the Renaissance and the Enlightenment refer to later periods that emphasize revival and intellectual progress, respectively, the Middle Ages is the term used to specifically describe the transitional phase between the fall of Roman civilization and the onset of these later movements, thus placing it correctly in relation to the timeline of European history. The term "Dark Ages" has often been colloquially used to refer to the early part of the Middle Ages, but it is not an accurate representation of the entire period or its significance in shaping modern Europe