Classical antiquity and medieval origins Western Europe

the great schism in christianity, predominant religion in western europe @ time.

prior roman conquest, large part of western europe had adopted newly developed la tène culture. roman domain expanded, cultural , linguistic division appeared between greek-speaking eastern provinces, had formed highly urbanized hellenistic civilization, , western territories, in contrast largely adopted latin language. cultural , linguistic division reinforced later political east-west division of roman empire. western roman empire , eastern roman empire controlled 2 divergent regions between 3rd , 5th century.

the division between these 2 enhanced during late antiquity , middle ages number of events. western roman empire collapsed, starting middle ages. contrast, eastern roman empire, known greek or byzantine empire, survived , thrived 1000 years. rise of carolingian empire in west, , in particular great schism between eastern orthodoxy , roman catholicism, enhanced cultural , religious distinctiveness between eastern , western europe.

after conquest of byzantine empire, center of eastern orthodox church, muslim ottoman empire in 15th century, , gradual fragmentation of holy roman empire (which had replaced carolingian empire), division between roman catholic , protestant became more important in europe eastern orthodoxy.

in east asia, western europe historically known taixi in china , taisei in japan, literally translates far west . term far west became synonymous western europe in china during ming dynasty. italian jesuit priest matteo ricci 1 of first writers in china use far west asian counterpart european concept of far east. in ricci s writings, ricci referred himself matteo of far west . term still in use in late 19th , 20th centuries.