Odoacer, a condition of confusion, approaching anarchy, prevailed
throughout Europe, until Charlemagne founded his empire, about 800
A. D., except that Constantinople was able to stand up against all
outside assaults and hold the Eastern Empire together. Charlemagne's
empire united under one government nearly all of what is now France,
Germany, Austria, Italy, Belgium, and Holland. The means employed by
Charlemagne to found his empire were wholly military, though means
other than military were instituted to preserve it. He endeavored
by just government, wise laws, and the encouragement of religion
and of education of all kinds to form a united people. The time
was not ripe, however; and Charlemagne's empire fell apart soon
after Charlemagne expired.

The rapid rise and spread of the Mohammedan religion was made possible
by the enthusiasm with which Mahomet imbued his followers, but the
actual founding of the Arabian Empire was due wholly to military
conquest, achieved by the fanatic Mussulmans who lived after him.
After a little more than a hundred years, the empire was divided
into two caliphates. Brilliant and luxurious courts were thereafter
held by caliphs at Bagdad and Cordova, with results similar to
those in Egypt, Persia, Assyria, and Rome; the people becoming
effeminate, employed warriors to protect them, and the warriors
became their masters. Then, effeminacy spreading even to the warriors,
strength to resist internal disorders as well as external assaults
gradually faded, and both caliphates fell.

From the death of Charlemagne until the fall of Constantinople, in
1453, the three principal nations of Europe were those of France,
Germany, and England. Until that time, and dating from a time shortly
before the fall of Rome, Europe was in perpetual turmoil--owing