The Barbarians World History
THE GERMANS Chapter 17
Germans Came from Northern Europe Invaded the Roman Empire around 300 AD Romans did not like them
Village Life Lived in villages surrounded by farmland and pastures Houses were thatched-roof huts Animals lived in the houses with the people Most people were farmers, herders, or traders
Village Life Women, children, and slaves did the farm work Highly valued hospitality Enjoyed feasting, dancing, gambling, boxing, and wrestling
Warriors Men were warriors, hunters, and metalworkers Men divided into clans Bands of warriors were headed by chieftains Warriors swore an oath to their chieftain
Video Weapons of the Barbarians Take notes during this video
Religion Polytheistic Love of battle was linked to their religion Woden – chief god, god of war Thor – Woden’s son, god of thunder Valhalla – warrior’s paradise in afterlife
The Law Believed law came from the people, not the emperor Set up courts to settle blood feuds Accused had to swear an oath Oath-helpers could testify for the accused If there were no oath-helpers, guilt was decided by ordeal – coals, boiling water, sink or float Fines, called wergeld, could be imposed instead of physical punishment
Goths Visigoths (West Goths) Moved into Roman Empire for protection from the Huns Defeated Romans Settled in Spain Ostrogoths (East Goths) Settled in Austria and Italy
Vandals Forced out of Spain by the Visigoths Settled in North Africa Became pirates The term vandalism comes from these people
Dark Ages Roman Empire fell Germanic Kingdoms took over Western Europe was in disorder and ruin
THE FRANKS Chapter 18
Who was Clovis? King of the Franks Cruel and greedy, but a good general and king United the Franks Became a Christian because he prayed to God for victory and won the battle Began speaking Latin United church and government
Who was Charles the Hammer? Real name was Charles Martel The most powerful Mayor of the Palace Wanted to reunite the Franks Very strong in battle Defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours in Spain His son Pepin ruled after him
Who was Pepin? Charles Martel’s son Started a new dynasty First Frankish king to be anointed by the Pope
Who was Charlemagne? “Charles the Great” Wanted to unite Western Europe and spread Christianity Waged wars to make this happen Created a large empire Pope crowned Charlemagne the Holy Roman Emperor
Who was Charlemagne? Wise and just ruler Created courts run by counts Had yearly meetings with counts and warriors to help run empire better Leaders could discuss their grievances Traveled throughout the empire to rule it better
Life in the Holy Roman Empire Churches and monasteries founded schools Created lower-case letters Built and decorated in the old Roman style The arts developed more
Life in the Holy Roman Empire Nobles called lords were the most powerful people Lords owned estates and had poor people work for them on the farm Farmers learned to rotate crops to use the soil more effectively The poor people became serfs, or poor people who are bound to the land Minstrels traveled throughout the empire
The Collapse of the Holy Roman Empire After Charlemagne died the empire weakened His son, Louis the Pious divided the empire among his three sons The three sons split the kingdom and ruled it separately See map on page 272
IRISH AND ANGLO-SAXONS Chapter 19
The British Isles Britain, Ireland, and other islands Never were ruled by Charlemagne Had been part of the Roman Empire under Julius Caesar Missionaries spread Christianity there After Roman rule, islands were overrun by Barbarian groups – Celts, Angles, Saxons, Jutes Celts went to Ireland Angles and Saxons went to England
Celtic Ireland No cities, only villages Good sailors using coracles Influenced by Christianity Irish church was founded by St. Patrick Monastery was the center of Irish life
Anglo-Saxons Followed Germanic religions until converted by Augustine Anglo-Saxons quickly accepted Christianity and built monasteries Monks blended Irish, German, and Roman cultures Important ancient legends come from Anglo- Saxons – Beowulf and King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Alfred and the Anglo-Saxons Early king of Anglo-Saxons Defeated the Danes Made London the leading city Started schools Translated books into English Began recording history starting with the Romans
Anglo-Saxon Government King was most important Council of Lords assisted king Church began crowning the new rulers Local government districts were called shires Sheriffs were in charge of the shires King’s Peace – royal protection in the king’s presence Witan – Council of wise men who advised the king
Anglo-Saxon People Titles of nobility were passed down or given by king Homes were stone with tapestries in the great hall Most people were peasants who lived on small villages or worked on estates Land was redistributed every year Peasants were loyal to nobles and worked their land in exchange for protection