1. The Age of Faith

2. With the fall
of Rome,
central
government
collapsed
in western
Europe.

3. Unity Through Religion
Hundreds of little governments replaced the Roman Empire.
Western Europeans were not adhering to one set of laws. Secular (government) authority declines.
However, most Medieval Europeans were Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church united the people of Western Europe.

4. The Roman
Catholic
Church was
very powerful
in Medieval
times.

5. The Power of Heaven or Hell
Medieval people were very religious.
They believed that the Roman Catholic Church had the power to send people to Heaven or Hell.
Their intense religious convictions led many of them to accept Church teachings.

6. The Roman Catholic Church was the largest landowner in Western Europe.

7. The Largest Landowner
The Roman Catholic Church was the largest landowner in Western Europe during the Middle Ages.
Nobles frequently left land to the Church.
Nobles hoped to gain entry to Heaven through such good works.

8. The Roman Catholic Church was the main center of learning in
Medieval times.

9. A Center of Learning
The Roman Catholic Church was the main center of learning in Medieval times.
Usually the only people who could read or write were Church officials.
It is important to remember that with the fall of Rome, much secular education ended.

10. Monasteries Main purpose: preserve Greco-Roman cultural achievements
St. Benedict- Benedictine Monks
Sister-Scholastica- creates women’s order (nuns)

11. The Roman Catholic Church was a wealthy institution in the Middle
Ages.

12. The Wealth of the Church
The Roman Catholic Church was a wealthy institution in the Middle Ages.
People paid tithes, or church taxes.
A tithe was a percentage of a person’s total income that was paid to the Church.
Church controls Papal States
Territories in Italy

13. Even today, Christians tithe.

14. Emperor
On Christmas day, 800ad, Pope Leo III anoints Charlemagne Emperor
First Roman Emperor in 300 years (since the fall of Rome in 476)

15. The Roman Catholic Church united the people of the Middle Ages.

16. Questions for Reflection:
How did the fall of Rome affect the people of Western Europe?
What institution united people during the Middle Ages?
Why did this institution unite people during the Middle Ages?
Why was this institution wealthy and powerful?
Define tithe.
E. Napp