The beginning of the medieval period in Europe is traditionally marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. This event signified the end of classical antiquity and the onset of a new era characterized by feudalism, the fragmentation of political structures, and the rise of the Church's influence in European society. The early medieval period, often referred to as the Dark Ages, was followed by significant developments in art, culture, and governance, leading eventually to the Renaissance. The transition was gradual, involving numerous social, political, and economic changes that shaped European history.