Prior to the emergence of the Middle Ages, the Dark Ages or period of Antiquity in the Roman Empire dominated the Western world. However, another indicator that the Empire was under its Dark Age was the sudden emergence of other religions as well, brought about by the sudden influx of foreigners or people from other tribes or cultures. Thus, towards its way to the Middle Ages, the West, or what remained of the Roman Empire, became dominated by Christianity and would eventually determine the nature of Western society in the Middle Ages.