Middle Ages
Western Europe in Decline Fall of Rome left Western Europe without strong leaders Fall of Rome left Western Europe without strong leaders The Roman Empire served as a “unifying force” that spread classical ideas The Roman Empire served as a “unifying force” that spread classical ideas Invaders swept across the land creating more chaos Invaders swept across the land creating more chaos Fall of Rome = period of social and economic decline Fall of Rome = period of social and economic decline From : Western Europe was isolated from more advanced civilizations in the Middle East, China and India From : Western Europe was isolated from more advanced civilizations in the Middle East, China and India : Beginning of the Dark Ages because… : Beginning of the Dark Ages because… Many invaders Many invaders Trade slowed Trade slowed Classical learning came to a halt Classical learning came to a halt : “Middle Ages”/Culture would be called “medieval” : “Middle Ages”/Culture would be called “medieval”
Beginning of Greco-Roman, Germanic and Christian Influence Germanic Tribes conquered parts of the Roman Empire: Germanic Tribes conquered parts of the Roman Empire: Goths, Vandals, Saxons and Franks ( ) Goths, Vandals, Saxons and Franks ( ) Cultured differed from the Romans Cultured differed from the Romans Mostly farmers & herders = no cities or written laws Mostly farmers & herders = no cities or written laws Lived in small communities governed by unwritten customs Lived in small communities governed by unwritten customs Kings had power = elected by tribal councils Kings had power = elected by tribal councils Warriors swore loyalty to the King in exchange for weapons and a share in the “plunder” from conquered peoples Warriors swore loyalty to the King in exchange for weapons and a share in the “plunder” from conquered peoples : Germanic Tribes carved Western Europe into small kingdoms : Germanic Tribes carved Western Europe into small kingdoms
Clovis being baptized
600’s: Religion of Islam began in Arabia; Followers were Muslims 600’s: Religion of Islam began in Arabia; Followers were Muslims From Arabia, they created an expanding Empire From Arabia, they created an expanding Empire Muslim armies overran Christian lands in Palestine, North Africa and Spain Muslim armies overran Christian lands in Palestine, North Africa and Spain 732: Charles Martel lead the Franks at the Battle of Tours in France against the Muslim invaders 732: Charles Martel lead the Franks at the Battle of Tours in France against the Muslim invaders Martel’s victory = viewed as a sign that God was on their side (Christianity) Martel’s victory = viewed as a sign that God was on their side (Christianity)
Charles Martel Born: 23-Aug-686 AD Birthplace: Wallonia, Belgium Died: 22-Oct-741 AD Location of death: Quivery, France Cause of death: unspecified Remains: Buried, Saint Denis Basilica, Paris, France23-Aug22-Oct Gender: Male Religion: Roman Catholic Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Royalty, MilitaryRoman CatholicRoyaltyMilitary Nationality: Frankish Kingdom Executive summary: Stopped the 732 AD Moorish advance
Battle of Tours
The Age of Charlemagne 768: Charlemagne becomes the King of the Franks (aka Charles the Great) 768: Charlemagne becomes the King of the Franks (aka Charles the Great) He is the grandson of Charles Martel He is the grandson of Charles Martel Briefly united Western Europe: Briefly united Western Europe: Built empire including what is now France, Germany and parts of Italy Built empire including what is now France, Germany and parts of Italy Ruled for 46 years: spent most of it fighting Muslims in Spain and other tribes in the North and East Ruled for 46 years: spent most of it fighting Muslims in Spain and other tribes in the North and East He reunited much of the old western Roman Empire He reunited much of the old western Roman Empire
Charlemagne
A New Emperor for the Romans 799: Charlemagne aids Pope Leo III to put down an uprising in Rome 799: Charlemagne aids Pope Leo III to put down an uprising in Rome 800: On Christmas Day, the Pope crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans 800: On Christmas Day, the Pope crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans This act revived the Christian community = Christendom This act revived the Christian community = Christendom Started a power struggle between future popes and Germanic emperors Started a power struggle between future popes and Germanic emperors Charlemagne tried to create a united Christian Europe: Charlemagne tried to create a united Christian Europe: Spread Christianity to conquered peoples Spread Christianity to conquered peoples Missionaries converted many Saxons and Slavs Missionaries converted many Saxons and Slavs Appointed powerful Nobles to rule local regions Appointed powerful Nobles to rule local regions Missi dominici = used to control local leaders; listened to local grievances, check roads and ensure that justice was done Missi dominici = used to control local leaders; listened to local grievances, check roads and ensure that justice was done
A Revival of Learning Charlemagne valued education Charlemagne valued education Viewed as another way to unify his Kingdom Viewed as another way to unify his Kingdom Charlemagne could not read or write Charlemagne could not read or write Set out to revive Latin Learning around his empire Set out to revive Latin Learning around his empire Encouraged the creation of schools Encouraged the creation of schools Created the Palace School at his court at Aachen to revive the glory of Rome Created the Palace School at his court at Aachen to revive the glory of Rome
Downfall Charlemagne’s grandsons split the empire into 3 regions Charlemagne’s grandsons split the empire into 3 regions Fighting amongst one another weakens the empire and they are vulnerable to attack Fighting amongst one another weakens the empire and they are vulnerable to attack Magyars and Vikings raids destroyed the last of Charlemagne’s empire Magyars and Vikings raids destroyed the last of Charlemagne’s empire Back to chaos and dangerous times Back to chaos and dangerous times
Review Questions: How did Charlemagne unify Europe? How did Charlemagne unify Europe? Do you believe that Charlemagne was a good leader? Why or why not? Do you believe that Charlemagne was a good leader? Why or why not? Key concepts, events and vocab: Key concepts, events and vocab: Medieval: Medieval: Franks: Franks: Charles Martel & the Battle of Tours Charles Martel & the Battle of Tours Nobles: Nobles: Missi Dominici: Missi Dominici: