History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett cover image

The Dark Ages

History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett

NOTE

Fleeing Tyranny: The Rise of Local Authority

As the Roman Empire became increasingly autocratic and repressive, people fled urban areas to escape government corruption and tyranny, seeking refuge in the countryside. This shift led to the emergence of local, surrogate authorities, predominantly wealthy individuals who acted as tribal chieftains. As former citizens lost trust in the central government, their loyalty shifted to these local leaders, creating a new social structure. This evolution in social dynamics over a millennium laid the groundwork for feudalism in medieval Europe, where private entities provided security and governance in exchange for rents.

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