Middle Ages and Byzantine Empire Middle Ages and Byzantine Empire
The “Dark Ages” aka: The Early Middle Ages or the Medieval Period
Between the Fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance
Section 1. Transforming the Roman World
Medieval society based on Greco- Roman culture, German culture and The Church
After the fall of Roman Order
1.Trade disrupted, money scarce (return to Bartering)
2. Cities abandoned Attractive targets for raiders Not needed for admin. of provinces Services fail Attractive targets for raiders Not needed for admin. of provinces Services fail
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3. Population moves to the country where food is produced
4. Learning declines Germans are illiterate Farming doesn't require literacy Germans are illiterate Farming doesn't require literacy
By AD 600 only priests are literate
Evolution of Romance languages and German dialects= no common language
German Kingdoms fragment Europe
Concept of Government changes 1. Personal and family ties rather than ties to government
2. Unwritten rules and traditions replace Roman Law
The Kingdom of the Franks Clovis unites the Franks as a Christian country (France)
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Clovis Baptized 32
Clovis Baptized
Makes France protector of the Church Establishes Merovingian Dynasty Makes France protector of the Church Establishes Merovingian Dynasty
Monasteries and Convents
1. Religious communities for men and women 2. Safety from violence 1. Religious communities for men and women 2. Safety from violence
3. A place for unwanted children
Mont St. Michel 4. Away from worldly distractions
Tintern Abbey Benedictine Orders
Founded by St. Benedict
Strict rules of obedience to God, prayer (7 times a day), poverty and chastity
6. Preserved learning
7. Missionaries Convert Germans to Roman Catholic
8. Pope Gregory I used church money to improve roads, hire troops and help the poor
Established the idea that the Pope is the overlord of Europe
The Rise of Charlemagne
The end of the Merovingians
1. Mayor of the Palace (Major Domo)--in charge of king’s estates gained more power than the King
Major Domo was Charles Martel 3. Battle of Tours made him a hero Major Domo was Charles Martel 3. Battle of Tours made him a hero
4. Pope gave Martel's son (Pepin the Short) right to depose last Merovingian
24 5. Pepin's son, Charles (Charlemagne) 24
inherited Frankish Kingdom 32
Extended Christianity and reunited most of Western Europe
Relied on the Great Lords (Counts) to control local areas Missi dominici spied on the Counts Relied on the Great Lords (Counts) to control local areas Missi dominici spied on the Counts
Kingdom of Charlemagne 24
The New Roman Emperor Christmas DayChristmas Day 800
32 Pope Leo crowned him Roman Emperor 32
The Carolingian Renaissance
Charlemagne receiving gifts from the East
Charlemagne receives the English Scholar Alcuin
Roman Script
Commissioned Carolingian miniscule script 24
This typeface is called Charlemagne
Monasteries established Scriptoria where monks copied Bibles and classic works
Forced the Church to open schools for noble boys
Defended the Church and converted the Pagans Defended Europe from invasion Defended the Church and converted the Pagans Defended Europe from invasion
Ruled for 40 years Attempted to create a legal code Ruled for 40 years Attempted to create a legal code
Charlemagne’s Palace at Aachen 24
Charlemagne’s Tomb 28
Charlemagne's son Louis the Pious had 3 sons They fought a civil war after his death
Treaty of Verdun Settled the War 24
Charles the Bald got France Lothair got Central Kingdom Louis the German got... (Duh!) Charles the Bald got France Lothair got Central Kingdom Louis the German got... (Duh!)
Authority broke down--chaos
Collapse of the infrastructure: roads, bridges, water supply, sewers Loss of Roman Authority
Loss of education, common language, legal system and medical knowledge Fall of the cities Pirates and bandits
Invasions Return to a barter economy Loss of technology Constant warfare
Natural disasters: Climate change Black Plague Corruption in the Church Isolation
Cistercian Abbey 13
Spread of Christianity 19
Pilgrimage 9