1. Fall of the Roman Empire to The Middle (Dark) Ages
Unit Mr. Duncan

2. Review: Roman Empire Split
In 284 AD, Emperor Diocletian set out to restore order.
To better handle the challenges facing the huge empire, he divided it into 2 parts the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire.
The Eastern Roman Empire will become known as the “Byzantine Empire.”

4. Reasons the Roman Empire Fell
1. Military Attacks
2. Political Trouble
3. Economic Problems
4. Social Decay

7. Germanic Tribes The main groups were the: Anglo-Saxons (Great Britain)
Visigoths (Spain)
Ostrogoths (Italy)
Franks (France and Germany).
The tribes did not govern like empires - they had no kings, no cities, or laws.

8. So, What Happened to Europe after the Fall of Rome?
476 AD to 1200 AD

9. Themes...change over time.
Political: Rome was founded as a republic and grew into a major empire
Did the Middle Ages see a continuation of Rome’s political ideals and models, or did a new system evolve? (Forward mvmt or backward?).
Downfall of cities; population shifts from urban areas.
Feudalism Developed

10. Themes...change over time.
Economic:
Rome was part of a global economy with incredible wealth.
Did the Middle Ages maintain the same networks established by the Roman empire? Did new trade evolve? New materials?
Dark Ages: Trade Disrupted: Unsafe to travel; cities no longer centers for markets ; $ is scarce

11. Themes...change over time.
Religious:
Christianity was at first not tolerated in the Roman Empire, then became the empire’s official religion.
What role did religion have in the lives of Europeans during the Middle Ages?
Dark Ages: Religion the center of medieval life.

12. Themes...change over time.
Social: Rome was divided between Patricians and Plebeians, citizens and non-citizens, and included slaves.
How was society organized during the Middle Ages? Did class systems exist? What were the rights of women?

13. Themes...change over time.
Technology :
Rome set itself apart from other cultures with advances made with technology; think of the aqueducts, coliseum, and road systems.
What did the Europeans during the Middle Ages advance in terms of technologies? Did they continue to employ Roman systems and techniques?

14. Themes...change over time.
Arts & Academia : Rome continued the legacy of the Greeks and furthered skills in sculpture and theater, as well as contributing to philosophy and education.
Did the Middle Ages see a continuance of Greco-Roman culture? Do the themes seen in art remain the same or change? Was education as important in the Middle Ages as it was during the time of Rome?

15. Transition
Economic: Trade Disrupted: Unsafe to travel; cities no longer centers for markets ; $ is scarce
Downfall of cities; population shifts from urban areas
Tribal,Germanic societies dominate- diff. social values and practices
Decline of learning: Germanic tribes couldn’t read or write. Church maintained literacy
Loss of a common language: Latin changed; local vernaculars with German elements develop

16. Charlemagne

17. Charlemagne ( An attempt to restore Order….)
In 786, Charles the Great AKA Charlemagne, established the Carolingian Empire in Western Europe. Most of Charlemagne’s 46 year reign was spent conquering other Germanic tribes and uniting the Old Western Roman Empire
Charlemagne united his empire through
Christianity, Justice, and Education.

18. Charlemagne’s Legacy
While the Carolingian Empire did not remain in tact, Charlemagne left an important legacy in World History.
#1 He extended Christian civilization into Northern Europe.
#2 He blended Germanic, Roman, and Christian traditions.
#3 He established a strong and efficient government that would be copied by future kings.

19. New Invaders!
In the late 800s, Muslim forces conquered Sicily and made it a center of Islamic civilization.
Beginning in the 900s, the nomadic Magyars settled in Hungary and plundered parts of Germany and France.
However, the Vikings broke the last threads of Charlemagne’s Empire! The Vikings were from expert sailors and destructive raiders from Scandinavia.
They would loot and burn communities all over Europe – every European’s nightmare were the Vikings.
However, the Vikings also did a few good things. They were explorers and discovered new lands (Americas) and created new trade routes.