1. FROM THE FALL OF ROME TO CHARLEMAGNE
GERMANIC KINGDOMS, CHARLEMAGNE,
VIKINGS AND OTHER INVADERS

2. To Review: Germanic groups who had invaded Western Rome established many small kingdoms
After the fall of Rome, the Western Roman Empire became a number of states ruled by different German kings (Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths…)
The only kingdom to last long was the kingdom of the Franks. They were also
the largest and the strongest
Germanic Kingdoms

3. Kingdom of the Franks
As we have learned, this kingdom was established in Gaul (modern France) in the late 400s by Clovis
He converted to Christianity around 500 when his troops won a difficult battle
First Germanic ruler to do so
Massive public baptism of Clovis and 3,000 Franks
This conversion won Clovis the support of the Roman Catholic Church and helped make his followers easier to rule and control.
Following Frankish custom, his kingdom was given to his son, then divided among his grandsons after he died

5. Clovis Charles Martel Pepin the Short Charlemagne
Leaders after Clovis…
Clovis Charles Martel Pepin the Short Charlemagne

6. Carolingians
After Clovis’ death, the mayor- (political advisors and war leaders for the king) was Charles Martel and he led the forces who defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours (732), which stopped the spread of Islam into Europe
Charles earned the nickname Martel, which means “hammer” for his military skills and victories
Charles Martel was a member of the Carolingian family and his son Pepin would force the old king of the Franks to step down
He became the first king of the Carolingian dynasty
When Pepin died, his son Charles became the next king and was known as Charlemagne

7. Charlemagne- leadership & military
Charlemagne, which means “Charles the Great” ruled from 768 – 814
Strong warrior and statesman, and a devout Christian
Many historians consider him one of the most important leaders in European history
Unified Europe for the first time since the fall of Rome
He would continue the work that Clovis did to spread Christianity, and promote education which was very important for this time.
Expanded the Frankish kingdom – Carolingian Empire
Foundation for his success was his military power
Every year he assembled his army and went to war against one of his enemies

8. Charlemagne and the pope
Became the most powerful Christian leader when in 800 he was crowned as Emperor of the Roman People
Restored the pope back to power after he had been run out of Rome
The pope thanked Charlemagne by making him a Roman emperor
The title implied that Charlemagne had restored the glory of the Roman Empire in Europe – idea of an enduring Roman empire
Charlemagne’s rule had the full backing of the church and God

10. Charlemagne- Education
Charlemagne promoted learning which he led to the Carolingian Renaissance
Renaissance = a rebirth of learning and culture
It was a renewed interest in Latin culture and classical works of the Greeks and Romans
Charlemagne spent much time studying and invited noted scholars to his capital
Ordered churches and monasteries to start schools.
This is HUGE because education had become such a low priority for most people at this time.
Monks during this era copied Christian and classical manuscripts – this is the reason why these ancient classics exist today

13. Charlemagne- Government
Government structure
Charlemagne established a permanent capital, which other Frankish kings had not done
Chose officials called counts to rule parts of the empire in his name
Counts were bound by oath to obey Charlemagne and in return they were granted large tracts of land
Charlemagne worked closely with the church to create a unified Christian empire
He ordered the people he conquered to convert to Christianity under the penalty of death
Sent monks to live among the conquered people

14. CHARLEMAGNE- LAWS Developed a written legal code
When Charlemagne died, his empire passed to his only surviving son, Louis the Pius
Charlemagne’s son was an ineffective ruler. When he died, he passed down the rule to his 3 sons (Charlemagne’s grandsons).
In 843 the Treaty of Verdun divided the empire among Charlemagne’s three grandsons
They were not good leaders either and as a result, Carolingian kings lost power and central authority (or government) broke down.
CHARLEMAGNE- LAWS

15. The relative peace of Charlemagne brought to western Europe did not last long
Invaders came from many directions
Magyars
Invaded from the east, originally from central Asia
Fierce warriors and skilled horsemen
Could easily outmaneuver armies of their opponents
Raided eastern France and Germany, northern Italy, and the western Byzantine Empire
Eventually settled in modern-day Hungary
Invaders
The threat of these invaders and the lack of a strong central government led to a new political and social system as people turned to local landed aristocrats to protect them – Feudalism. We will learn more about this 4th quarter.

17. Activity…
I will now pass out a green reading article titled “The Franks”. Please do not write on this.
You will need a blank sheet of notebook paper. At the top, title your paper “The Franks” and write your name.
When you finish reading the article, please answer the questions from the back page on your notebook paper. There are 13 questions. Please refer back to the text for help.