The Early Middle Ages

The Middle Ages Middle Ages = European history between the fall of the Roman Empire (476) and the Modern Era (1450) Also called the Medieval Period (“Medium” is Latin for Middle; “aevum” is Latin for age) Early Middle Ages = 500 – 1000 C.E. High Middle Ages = 1000 – 1300 C.E. Late Middle Ages = 1300 – 1500 C.E.

4 Horsemen of the Appocalypse The Middle Ages Some believed that were also the times of the 4 Horsemen of the Appocalypse pestilence, war, famine, & death

Political Influences Dark Ages Early Middle Ages = Instability after Rome’s fall Lawlessness, corruption, political assassinations, & starvation No national government; local regional lords held the power Lords controlled estates through feudalism Constant fear of plunderers and robbers High inflation and low trade Dark Ages Early Middle Ages = 500-1000 C.E.

Religious Influences Christianity spread throughout Europe by the 4th Century Church established a hierarchy parishes = local communities headed by a priest bishopric = several parishes Cathedral in Exeter, England

Dark Ages Religious Influences Catholic Church filled the gap left by no strong leaders Preserved literacy & the classics Controlled all aspects of medieval life Maintained some semblance of civilized living

Religious Influences 590 - Pope Gregory Increased Pope’s power Governed large territory around Rome Encouraged the growth of Monasticism Nunneries Helped spread Christianity to Eastern Europe & the Slavs Religious Influences

Religious Influences 500-800: Catholic Church debated several issues Was Jesus flesh, spirit or a combination of both? Use of relics – bones/objects connected with saints

Religious Influences The Eastern Church disagreed with using relics and images. They were iconoclasts = image breakers Monks white-washed images of Jesus & the saints

Romans believed that Rome should be the head of the Church because the apostle Peter spent his last years in Rome. Byzantines didn’t accept Rome’s leadership of the Catholic Church Religious Influences 1054 - Schism = separation - Eastern Orthodox Church (Greek & Russian) - Western Catholic Church (Roman)

Jesus Christ giving Saint Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven Jesus Christ giving Saint Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Catholic doctrine says that Jesus made Saint Peter the first pope. This established a link between Jesus and the papacy. The pope is viewed as the apostles’ heir. This doctrine gave the papacy tremendous power. The advantages taken by certain popes of this and other doctrines was later criticized by many Christian reformers. Fresco by Perugino Vatican Museums and Galleries, Vatican City, Italy/Bridgeman Art Library, London/New York

Power of the Church Role of Faith People were religious Believed church represented God and decided who went to Heaven or Hell Power and Wealth Church was Europe’s largest landowner Center of Learning Church main center of learning Church officials usually only people that could read or write

Crusades Christian Holy War against Muslims (Moors) Turks overtook Jerusalem in 11th Century 1095 Pope Urban II called on all Christians to unite and fight the Muslims (Constantinople) Crusade = War of the Cross

Effects of Crusades New Ideas: Zero Silk Rice Spices Coffee Perfume Cotton Cloths Mirrors Increased trade with the Middle East Growth of Intolerance Persecution of Jews and Muslims Persecution of Christians by Muslims

Crusades You decide to go on a crusade after hearing the Pope’s sermon. List your reasons for going. What would it be like to go on a crusade in an age when you would have to travel on foot or horseback and by sailing boat, and when there were no modern roads, radio, phone or tv? Design your own crusader banner and shield.

Political Influences Kingdom of the Franks Only 1 of the Germanic states that lasted 510 C.E. – Established by Clovis Clovis = 1st Germanic ruler to convert to Christianity

Political Influences Charles Martel defeated the Muslims 732 C.E. – Battle of Tours ** Stopped Muslim conquest of Northern Europe

Carolingian Empire (768 – 814) Charlemagne = Charles Martel’s grandson Intelligent, fierce warrior, strong statesman Created Missi Dominici = king’s messengers Strengthened Frankish military Carolingian Renaissance Renaissance = rebirth Established monastic and palace schools Renewed interest in Latin & Greek culture Political Influences

800: Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III 1st Roman Emperor since 476 Symbolized the emergence of the Middle Ages (500-1500) Blended Roman, Christian, & Germanic elements A Germanic king was crowned by a Roman pope (spiritual leader of western Christendom)

Carolingnian Collapse 814: Charlemagne died Charlemagne’s grandsons fought over the empire 843 = Treaty of Verdun - Heirs divided Carolingian Empire East (Germany), West (France), & Middle Kingdom (Alsace Lorraine) Alsace Lorraine fought over for centuries Local nobles gained power Carolingian Empire began to crumble

Accomplishments of Charlemagne Charlemagne instituted the same reforms, creating a common identity in people from eastern Germany to southern Spain. Unified currency Spread of Christianity Education for rich and poor

Political Influences Islamic 9th & 10th Centuries = Another wave of Barbarian Invasions

The Vikings Political Influences Germanic tribes from Scandinavia Raided Northern Europe 9th-11th Centuries Fierce warriors Greatly Feared Called Barbarians Sacked towns, destroyed churches, raped, and pillaged

The Vikings Political Influences Scandinavia Harsh land Scarce food Clan warfare Built long ships = Dragon Ships Sailed up European rivers and attacked far inland

Vikings established inland bases Launched several raids from these points

The Vikings Political Influences Established settlements Kiev = (Rus) Normandy (France) Jorvik (Britain)

The Vikings Political Influences Viking long ships were narrow & fierce Enabled them to navigate narrow inland European rivers

Religious Influences The Vikings Conversion to Christianity made them a part of the European civilization

Political Influences Kievan Rus Late 8th Century: Vikings attacked Slavic villages south of the Baltic Sea Vikings dominated the area Natives called the Vikings the Rus Kiev became a major trade center Both trade partner and enemy of the Byzantines Political Influences

Political Influences Vladimir I (980) Very war like Kievan ruler Invited missionaries from Judaism, Islam and Christianity to offer reasons for conversion Married the Byzantine emperor’s sister Brought Christianity and Greco-Roman civilization to Russia Political Influences

Yaroslav I (1010-1054) Political Influences Created a Russian law code based on Justinian’s Code. Instituted a Golden Age of Kievan Russia. Built churches and a new capital city. Allied Russia with the rest of Europe by marrying his children to European rulers.

Manorialism Lord/Nobles house and peasants living in the surrounding area to work Manor completely self-sufficient Varied in sized and number per noble

Farming In the Middle Ages Three-field system Farm animals often small due to lack of food and bad weather Famine was normal Long hours out in the field Men and women worked side by side Small farm animals normally stayed inside the house

Mongol Empire Political Influences Genghiz Khan – Conquered China in early 1200s Kublai Khan – Extended Mongol control over most of Asia, Russia and eastern Europe in Hungary. Traded extensively with the West. Entertained Marco Polo. Pax Mongolia – time of peace and prosperity during Mongolian rule Political Influences

Mongols Political Influences Superb horsemen Covered 120 miles a day Cut their horse’s leg and drank the blood if thirsty Invented the stirrup Ride and shoot arrows Greatly feared “Barbaric” Political Influences

Largest land empire in the world Political Influences