The Early Middle Ages (ca )

The Early Middle Ages “Middle Ages” “Middle Ages” Any other titles used for this period? Any other titles used for this period? What images come to your mind? What images come to your mind? What have we been led to think about this period? What have we been led to think about this period?

The Early Middle Ages The Middle Ages The Middle Ages 1,000-year era following “fall of Rome” 1,000-year era following “fall of Rome” Originally a negative term Originally a negative term “Middle” Ages “Middle” Ages Negative traits Negative traits Recent scholarship Recent scholarship Middle Ages was time of greatness, innovation Middle Ages was time of greatness, innovation “Middle Ages” here to stay “Middle Ages” here to stay

The Rise of Islam The Arabian Peninsula Desert Home of Arabs Loyal to tribes No centralized authority Pastoral nomads

The Rise of Islam The Ka’ba Arabian Religion Animistic, pagan Mecca Commercial center of Arabia Religious center Ka’ba  Pilgrimage site  Brought money to city

The Rise of Islam Muhammad ( ) Born in Mecca Involved in Meccan caravan trade Spiritual man Prophet of Islam Angel Gabriel  worship God alone (ca. 610) Continued revelations Must preach to others

The Rise of Islam Islam on the Rise Preached in Mecca Gained converts  UMMAH Overall response was negative Flight of Muhammad Invited to Medina Hijrah (622) Gained power base, subdued enemies

The Rise of Islam Islam on the Rise: Return to Mecca Ummah wanted to see city converted March on Mecca (630) Muhammad, 10,000 men Offer made to city, accepted by religious leaders Muhammad entered city Cleansed Ka’ba March on Mecca

The Rise of Islam Questions?

The Rise of Islam Dome of the Rock ( ), Jerusalem Islam “Submission to God” Five Pillars of Islam “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Prophet” Pray 5 times daily toward Mecca Ramadan Almsgiving Pilgrimage to Mecca MOSQUE

The Rise of Islam The Quran Muhammad’s revelations Teachings Absolute monotheism “People of the Book” Jesus was an apostle, prophet of God  “God forbid that he should have a son!” (4:171) Judgment on Last Day Make war on infidels  Jihad

The Rise of Islam Islamic Conquests ( )

The Rise of Islam Why the Successful Conquest? Arabs were fighters! Exhausted opponents Toleration of other monotheists No forced conversions Relied on other monotheists’ leaders Non-Muslims not equal to Muslims

The Rise of Islam The Caliphs Muhammad died 632 Successor? THE CALIPHATE Caliphs: successors of Muhammad First were early converts, from inner circle of Prophet Office was political, religious

The Rise of Islam

The Culture of the Islamic World The “great” civilization of the time Science, mathematics Literature, books, libraries

The Rise of Islam Khadijah Status of Women Women in the Quran Men may have up to four wives Wives to be treated equally Some inheritance rights granted Khadijah was first convert

The Rise of Islam Questions?

The Byzantine Empire Remnants of Eastern Roman Empire Constantinople survived Strong army, navy “GREEK FIRE” Weapon at sea Combustible!

The Byzantine Empire Greek Fire

The Byzantine Empire Virgin and Child between Sts. Theodore and George, 6 th or early 7 th cent. The Iconoclastic Controversy Emperors ordered destruction of icons (726) Controversy: iconoclasts vs. iconodules Iconoclasm first condemned at Nicaea II (787) Iconoclasm resurged, condemned for good 843

The Byzantine Empire Questions?

The Rise of the West The West during the Early Middle Ages Italy, British Isles, Spain, Kingdom of the Franks Traits of West Impoverished Fragmented Roman cities were shadows of antiquity Disintegrated infrastructure Historical surprise: West came to dominate the world!

The Rise of the West Kingdom of the Franks Dominant in Western Europe Unified by 700 Catholic Ruled by Merovingians

The Rise of the West Battle of Poitiers The Carolingians CHARLES MARTEL (d. 741) Halted Muslim advance at Battle of Poitiers (732-33) Family deposed last Merovingian king Allied with papacy

The Rise of the West Charlemagne (r ) Devoutly Christian Promoted education His government Ruled “by God’s will” Local rule: counts Missi dominici

The Rise of the West Emperor Charlemagne Pope faced hostility in Rome  Charlemagne To Rome Pope returned with Frankish escort Charlemagne arrived soon after Crowned augustus Christmas Day, 800 Emperor Charlemagne and “new” Roman Empire?

The Rise of the West

The Disintegration of the Carolingian Empire Empire divided in three Centralized government vanished Foreign invasion, fragmentation  collapse

The Rise of the West Questions?

The Early Middle Ages How was this world different from the ancient world? How was this world different from the ancient world? Politically? Politically? Religiously? Religiously? Culturally? Culturally?