A narrative history of the origins of Western civilization argues that Europe was transformed in the tenth century from a continent rife with violence and ignorance to a continent on the rise.

The physical landscape of the tenth century -- Roman "harlots" : from the cadaver synod to the fall of Marozia -- The nadir of the papacy -- Enemies of Christians -- The dissention of kings -- Salvation from "that very savage people" -- Feudal France -- Muslims and Christians in Spain -- Anglo-Saxon England -- The Celtic lands : Ireland, Scotland, and Wales -- Liutprand of Cremona, cynic, diplomat, and stylist -- "That Greek woman" : Theophano, Otto II, and her mother-in-law -- Monks and nuns -- Ordinarylife in the tenth century -- Faith and church in the tenth century -- Gerbert, the magician of the millennium -- Otto III : a "new Rome"? -- The millennium.