Final answer:
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the center of society was largely the Roman Catholic Church. They served as a key social and economic force, working closely with kings and warlords to ensure the dominance of their Christian practices and beliefs. This consolidation of power led to the emergence of the medieval culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The center of society after the fall of the Roman Empire was predominantly the Roman Catholic Church. During this period, known as the Middle Ages, the traditional Roman authority had fragmented, and Europe experienced significant political and military discord. In this context, the Church served as a powerful social and economic force.
The Roman Catholic Church worked to secure military assistance from kings and convert various groups to Christianity. They aimed to ensure that their vision of Christian practices and norms surpassed those of other groups such as the Arians. This merging of religious and military cultures prepared the ground for the new medieval culture. Meanwhile, the secular political order fragmented under Germanic warlords, who drew power from their ability to provide loot for their followers.
Most systems that emerged across Europe following the fall of the western half of the Roman Empire (5th century CE) were monarchies. These political systems promoted and defended Christianity to justify their rule. In such a way, the Church was able to assert its influence, preserving classical Greek and Roman law, literature, and philosophical ideas, all while becoming the central hub of power and influence in society.
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