12/18 Focus: – The Christian church helped to unify western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Do Now: – Identify one effect that the fall of Rome and invasions by Germanic tribes had on western Europe?

The Middle Ages Germanic Kingdoms The Power of the Church

Impact of Germanic Invasions and Collapse of Rome Roman Empire replaced by small kingdoms throughout western Europe

Germanic Kingdoms Rome Loyalty to public government and law Germanic Tribes Loyalty based on family ties and personal loyalties Chiefs led bands of warriors who pledged loyalty to him Lived in small communities

The Franks Germanic tribe that controlled Gaul – France

The Franks Clovis I – Frankish King – Converted to Christianity in 496 – Allied with the Church Church supported military campaigns against other Germanic tribes Clovis converted other Germanic tribes to Christianity Church gains political power Ivory carving of Clovis converting to Christianity. He is being baptized by a bishop

The Church in the Middle Ages Two major Christian Churches – Orthodox Christian Church Byzantine – Catholic Church Western Europe

The Church in the Middle Ages Catholic Church led by a pope based out of Rome – Papacy; Papal – Believed by followers to be the spiritual representative of Jesus on Earth

The Church in the Middle Ages Catholic church provided order and security after the fall of Rome – Served the spiritual needs of followers – Became a powerful political force Had authority over powerful rulers

Nuns and Monks Devoted their life to prayer and good works Lived in monasteries or convents – Religious communities – Had to follow strict rules Benedictine rule

Nuns and Monks Took an oath of poverty Provided social support to communities – Helped the sick and the poor – Educated children Preserved ancient writings by copying Greek and Roman texts

A Medieval Monk’s Day

Nuns and Monks Missionaries – Nuns, monks, and priests who went out to spread Christian teachings – Worked to convert Germanic tribes and Celts in Britain – Example: St. Patrick setup the church in Ireland

Role of the Church in Everyday Life Church provided spiritual protection in exchange for land, protection and crops Christians attended village churches led by priests (clergy)

Economic Power of the Church Church required Christians to pay a tithe – Tax – Required to pay 10% of income Church became very wealthy Became the largest landholder in Europe

Political Power of the Church Church had its own laws and courts – Canon Law Claimed authority over secular rulers – Secular= not having to do with religion – Could excommunicate rulers who did not obey the church – Banned from the church

Closure Describe the impact of Clovis I conversion to Christianity on the Catholic Church? Identify how monks preserved Roman and Greek knowledge.