Henri Pirenne (1862-1935) Pirenne Thesis

Pirenne Thesis: Breaking of European economic unity came with rise of Islam. Mediterranean as frontier This led to Europe turning inward to own resources, leading to rise of European states “Without Mohammed, Charlemagne would have been inconceivable.” Henri Pirenne, Mohammed and Charlemagne (1935)

Signs of Decline (according to Pirenne): 1. Change in mercantile class and markets 2. Replacement of gold with silver coinage under Pippin III (r. 751-68) and Charlemagne (r. 768-814) 3. Simplification of Carolingian fiscal system

Mechanisms of exchange/perceptions of value: Markets and informal barter Honores (honours), donations, in return for “gifts” and support “Gifts” in exchange for “protection” Multifaceted nature of exchange and perceptions of value

Map Link: Europe at the Death of Charlemagne, 814: <http://www.shadowedrealm.com/lib/images/medieval/ maps/map038.jpg>

c. 700 Emergence of emporia on North Sea Late 8th/early 9th c. High point of emporia Exports: wine, pottery, millstones Imports: amber, ivory, furs, cloth, slaves 9th c. Decline of emporia

Involvement in politics The Vikings: Impact of raids Viking traders Involvement in politics Map Link: Journeys of the Vikings: <http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/images_n2/viking.gif>

Decline of the emporia: Viking impact Development of commercial centres inland, often under patronage

Early 8th c. Low point in Mediterranean trade c. 800 Re-establishment of trans-Mediterranean trade, and land route through Balkans Imports: luxuries, e.g. silk, spices Venice Exports: furs, textiles, weapons, slaves(?) Early 9th c. Conflict in Mediterranean 827-78 Muslim conquest of Sicily

Map Link: Invasions in the 9th-10th Centuries: <https://www.sheltonstate.edu/Uploads/files/faculty/ Chuck%20Boening/western%20civ/Invasions% 20of%20the%20Ninth%20and%20Tenth%20 Centuries.jpg>