1. The Early Middle Ages
Europe c. AD

2. 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

3. Trials by Ordeal

4. Trials by Ordeal

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Early Germanic Kingdoms

10. 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

11. Christian Missionaries
Catholic missionaries go amongst the Germans and Celts c. AD ’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.

12. Clovis, The Franks and Christianity
Northern Gaul controlled by the Franks under Clovis
AD 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

13. Arianism

14. 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

15. 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

16. Benedictine Rule
Poverty
Chastity
Obedience

17. 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

18. Monastery