During the period 800 BCE to 1500 BCE, following the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe seemed to experience a dramatic decline in its cultural growth and development. Meanwhile, life in other parts of the world was no so "Medieval"—those cultures made tremendous advances in science, art, exploration, and scholarship. What caused this difference between Europe and Africa, Asia, and the Middle East during the Middle Ages? Why do you think other parts of the world experienced "golden ages" during a time when most Europeans struggled through the Dark Ages?