Abstract: The Medieval European civlization is characterized by its diversity, which can be further revealed through the external factors that contributed to its creation, the relationship between the secular society and the religious system, the values and consciousness pursued by Europeans, and the characteristics of urban and industrial development. The origin and development of Medieval European civilization converged multiple elements. The Medieval European secular hierarchical society was rigid, while the Catholic system was more flexible. The secular political division in Medieval Europe was balanced by the unity of the spiritual world in Medieval Europe, an individual centered value system was established, forming social relationships linked by contracts, and reinforcing the concept of community with a sense of beggar thy neighbor. The unique economic structure promoted the development of industry, commerce, and cities in Medieval Europe, and its urban community formed a kind of civil society, nurturing a civic spirit and fostering a new economic civlization in the highly developed commodity exchange. The opposition, coexistence, and interaction made the urban-rual relationship in Medieval Europe unigue. These characteristics of Medieval European civilization have undergone significant changes in modern times.

Key words: Medieval period ; Europe ; civilization characteristics

Published on Exploration and Free Views, Issue 9, 2024.