The Early Middle Ages Europe c. AD 500-1000

Western Europe c. AD 500 German speaking “barbarians” have settled in what was the western half of the Roman Empire Roman political systems have ceased to exist Germanic custom and its Trials by Ordeal have replaced Roman Law Great cities have disappeared in Europe

Trials by Ordeal

Trials by Ordeal

Three Roots of Medieval Civilization Classical Heritage of Greece and Rome Roman Catholic Church Germanic Customs and Culture

Roman Civilization Collapses The Collapse of Trade and Towns Warfare disrupts trade Cities require trade to survive No need for cities as administrative centers due to collapse of Roman government People move to country side Population shift to rural and agrarian

Roman Civilization Collapses Loss of Literacy and a Common Language Most Germanic “barbarians” could not read or write Clergy remains the only literate segment of society Latin begins to change and is affected by Germanic influences Romance languages begin to evolve Spread of Germanic languages

Roman Civilization Collapses Family and Personal Ties Replace Citizenship Germanic kingdoms replace Roman provinces Change in concept of government Germans are not citizens of a state, but members of a family group/clan or followers of a leader/war chieftain Family and personal loyalties bind Germanic societies together Government of large territories is difficult

Early Germanic Kingdoms

The Roman Catholic Church Survives And Christianity Gains New Followers The Roman Catholic Church is the only institution to survive from Roman Empire Missionaries Clovis and the Franks Monasticism

Christian Missionaries Catholic missionaries go amongst the Germans and Celts c. AD 300-400’s St. Patrick in Ireland is most famous and one of most successful Patrick taken as slave to Ireland at 16. Returns as a missionary in AD 432. Converts majority of Island.

Clovis, The Franks and Christianity Northern Gaul controlled by the Franks under Clovis AD 496 - Clovis converts during a battle After battle, he and 3,000 followers are baptized as Roman Catholics Catholic Church had sought to gain the Franks aid against spread of Arian Christianity Arianism is considered heretical by the Roman Catholic Church This is the beginning of a special relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Frankish kingdom c. AD 600 – Many Germans in former Roman lands are Roman Catholic Christians

Arianism

Monasticism Benedict Sets Rules For Monasteries Bishops were the most powerful leaders of the Church during Roman times Monasteries – adaptation to the rural conditions of the Early Middle Ages Monasteries – Communities of men or women who gave up private property and lived very simple lives devoted to worship and prayer Monks/Monasteries – Men Nuns/ Nunneries or Convents - Women

Benedictine Rule Benedict born c. AD 480 Left school at 15 to live in solitude Asked to be Abbot (head of monastery) by monks Develops set of rules to govern monastic life His sister, Scholastica adapts these rules for women

Benedictine Rule Poverty Chastity Obedience

Achievements of the Monasteries Best governed communities of the Early Middle Ages Best educated communities of the Early Middle Ages Operated schools/libraries Copied books Preserved part of Rome’s intellectual heritage

Monastery