Post-Roman Europe refers to the period following the fall of the Western Roman Empire around 476 AD. This era saw the fragmentation of political power, leading to the rise of various kingdoms and tribes, such as the Franks, Visigoths, and Ostrogoths. The decline of centralized authority resulted in a more localized form of governance, with feudal systems beginning to emerge. During this time, cultural and economic changes occurred, including the spread of Christianity and the establishment of monasteries, which became centers of learning and preservation of knowledge. Trade routes shifted, and new languages and customs developed, laying the groundwork for the future nations of Europe.