Europe's relationship with culture, even at the most basic level,

dates back to at least 20,000 BCE. The Venus of Willedorf

and the cave paintings of Altamira and Lascaux are examples

of the presence of civilization in Europe thousands of years

ago. By 5000 BC, evidence proves that areas of Europe had

begun to show hierarchical societies and a firm agricultural

background had been formed by many of these societies.

While a clear division of boundaries did not exist back then,

the history of Europe if we go back to thousands of years ago,

during the Neolithic age, can be mainly traced through their

settlements and tools.

A strong political and social era did not emerge before the

Roman and Byzantine period. Thus, Europe's history began to

take form when the Roman's empire rose to its glory. Europe

has undoubtedly seen different periods of settlement before the

Roman Empire as well, but evidence, clear dates and

archaeology is at its minimal during these periods.

While many people completely believe that history is somewhat

similar to story-telling, the only thing that makes a difference is

the presence of facts and evidence when it comes to history.

Every historian has to comb through each fact closely before

choosing what actually happened from what is being purported

as may have happened.

The facts of European history have been put together in this

book. The chapters are named primarily after an event that

may have been the most prominent one during a period, but

every chapter will cover more than just that event. It will cover

the things that led to the event and the ones after the event

as well.

Every era had some striking events that changed the way

Europeans led their lives. From periods of anarchy to golden

rules and back to chaos again, Europe, from the time it has

known power and politics, has been controlled and ruled by

many powerful people.

The boundaries within which these events happened may not

have been recognized as what is considered Europe today. At

that time, rulers knew their empires and they knew the regions

across which their powers lay, and as historians try to gather

evidence today, we can finally put the pieces together to

understand and study the great European history.