After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the European continent fell into a state of decadence, despair and disarray.
Europeans were ravaged by the bubonic plague, poor sanitation and hygiene, crumbling infrastructure and illiteracy. While Europe struggled, Africa prospered during the Middle Ages.
At the same time, many kingdoms on the African continent were in the midst of a cultural and economic renaissance with sprawling universities and cultural centers. Some of the most impressive civilizations thriving during the 10th through 14th centuries include the Axum Empire, the Kingdom of Ghana, the Mali Empire, the Songhai Empire and the Benin Empire.
Atlanta Black Star takes a look at seven African civilizations that people should know more about.
