Scenarios about 'dark ages'

A historical period in Western Europe following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, spanning roughly from the 5th to 10th centuries. This era was characterized by economic and cultural decline, reduced literacy, political fragmentation, and limited historical documentation compared to preceding Roman times and the subsequent Medieval period. The term remains relevant in alternate history scenarios exploring different outcomes for post-Roman Europe or examining how civilizational collapse might unfold in other contexts.