1. The Fall of the Roman Empire

2. The Roman Empire, split but still at its height
Mediterranean Sea

3. Invasions into the Roman Empire

4. The End
When the barbarians, led by Odoacer, took command of Rome in A.D. 476, he removed the powerless emperor Romulus Augustulus
This signified the end of the Roman Empire
The entire border of the empire was in the midst of a brutal war
Death, sorrow, slaughter, fires!!!!!!!!!

5. Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms

6. Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms
Rome’s fall marked the end of the ancient world and the beginning of a new era
This new era, which lasted until 1450, was known as the “the Middle Ages”
Some historians have coined the early part of this era as the “Dark Ages”
Little that was written in this period has been retained and come down to us

7. The Roman Empire is broken up
The Roman Empire is broken up. Barbarian groups create their own kingdoms.

8. A time of change Important changes took place in Europe
New kingdoms were set up in the lands that the Germanic invaders had conquered
One Germanic group called themselves the Franks or “the bold”
481 AD: A 15-year-old warrior named Clovis became King of the Franks
He led for 30 years and, through numerous wars and under his rule, the Frankish Kingdom expanded its borders.
It included most of present-day Germany and France
Clovis led the Franks into Christianity

9. Barbarian Kingdoms dominate much of Europe…

10. Power of the Church
After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the only adopted sign of stability remaining from the old times was the church of Rome
The church continued traditions such as using Latin and making Rome its center
Monks began to establish religious communities known as monasteries across Europe
These monks were devoted to preserving the ideas of ancient Rome and Greece as well as church writings

11. Church support for the Franks
The church supported the Franks under Clovis
It wanted to continue to serve Christians in the area ruled by the Franks
For this to happen, the Church had to cooperate with the King of the Franks
Once he was baptized and accepted the support of the church, Clovis was encouraged by church leaders to spread Christianity
“Every battle you fight is a victory for us.”

12. A New Royal Family The sons and grandsons of Clovis were poor rulers
Argued among themselves far more than they focused on ruling the expanding kingdom
A new family from within the King’s household rose to power
The Mayors of the Palace, officials of the king, were the kingdom’s real rulers!

13. Charles Martel Also known as Charles the Hammer
Defeated Muslim invaders from Spain at Tours, France
This victory in 732 made him a hero!!!
It is said that, with this victory, he saved Christianity in northern Europe
751 – Pepin, Martel’s son, asked the head of the church, Pope Zacharias, to recognize and bless him as king
Pepin was the first King to rule with blessings of the church
Pepin’s son Charles, who was called Charlemagne, would also rule with the church’s support

14. Charlemagne’s Empire
768 AD – Charlemagne’s rule began, dominated by war – fighting and expanding east, south, and north
Defeated opponents were forced to accept the Roman Church and swear loyalty to him as their new ruler
800 AD – Pope in Rome crowned Charlemagne emperor of the western Roman Empire, known to us as the Holy Roman Empire.
Following the death of Charlemagne, his territory was split in three amongst his three grandsons. These three men were not as adept at running the empire as their grandfather was.

15. Upon his death, Charlemagne’s Empire split among his three grandsons, into three separate kingdoms
Vikings and Muslims begin raids throughout Europe…

16. Charlemagne’s Empire collapses
Under the ineffective rule of Charlemagne’s grandsons, the empire began to crumble
Each individual kingdom came apart as landowners became more independent
As Europe continued to break up into smaller kingdoms, the people looked to local lords to defend them
Particularly important since 3 groups were ready to invade:
Magyars
Muslims [from the south]
Vikings [from the north]

17. The Vikings
The strongest group, the Vikings, sailed from Scandinavia and into coastal villages throughout Europe, plundering, killing, burning, and taking prisoners.
A nomadic group of warriors, they never stayed long in one place, and local armies did not arrive in time to stop them.
Soon the Vikings set up camps from which they raided the countryside