By 500 AD, Germanic Invasions had all but destroyed the urban world of the Roman Empire

• Trade Declined• Cities, bridges, and roads fell into disrepair and disuse.• Law and Order Vanished, and education almost disappeared• Money was no longer used• For most, life did not extend beyond the tiny villages where

they were born, lived and died

Early middle Ages sometimes called the Dark Ages – 476 to 1000 C.E

DARK AGES

• Rome had fallen and life in western Europe was hard. Very few could read and write, and no one expected conditions to improve.

• Plagues and disease had spread.• No central authority, or government. • Food was scarce and life was hard.• People feared other people. • The only hope for most was their belief in

Christianity. The belief that life in heaven would be better than life on earth.

DARK AGES

Christian European Society

When Rome fell in late 400s, Christianity mostly confined to southern Europe

• By about 600, Christianity had spread northward into other parts of continent

• Conversion of Anglo-Saxons, and other tribes of Europe.• Franks helped make western Europe into largely Christian society• Following fall of Rome, Christianity appealed to many Europeans

• Period known as Middle Ages, or medieval times

The spread of Christianity, largely through the work of missionaries and monks, helped unify western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire.

Christianity in Western Europe

Roman Catholic church was a strong institution that created stability throughout Western Europe.The Church was often the only way to get an education.

The fall of Rome had different results. In the east, the Byzantine Empire flourished. In the west, no single empire arose from Rome’s ashes. Germanic groups established many small kingdoms.

• Angles, Saxons among Germanic peoples establishing kingdoms in Europe.

• In the 400s,the tribes migrated to Britain and formed seven small, independent kingdoms.

Angles, Saxons

• Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were not Christian at first

• Late 500s, group of monks led by Augustine of Canterbury arrived in kingdom of Kent.

Anglo-Saxon England

• Augustine converted many people of Kent.

• Augustine named Archbishop of Canterbury.

• Christianity slowly spread through rest of England.

Christianity Slowly Spread

New Kingdoms in Europe

Spreading of Christianity Appeal of Christianity led many Europeans to want to share beliefs with others

Some became missionaries, people who travel to spread their religion.

Augustine of Canterbury, many others went to new lands to spread Christian beliefs throughout Europe and Asia, and Africa.

One of the most famous Missionaries is Patrick.He arrived in the British Isle of Ireland in the 400s. He preached in the face of hostile Irish leaders.By the time he died around 460 nearly all of Ireland was Christian.

Christendom:Through the work of missionaries a Christian society formed that included most of western Europe. Historians call that society Christendom. The People of Christendom saw themselves as a community of believers.

Threat to Independence• Remained independent for several centuries• Threat arose that forced them to band together• Danes invaded northern England, began to march south

Accomplishments • As king, Alfred reorganized army, issued own code of laws• Also improved his court’s financial system• Greatest achievement, establishing system of schools for adults, children

Alfred the Great• Anglo-Saxons united under Alfred the Great, king of Wessex• Under Alfred, Anglo-Saxon forces pushed Danes back to north• Later Alfred recognized as ruler of all England

Anglo-Saxon England

Gregory the GreatEarly in the Middle Ages most Popes had little authority. Most people saw the Pope has just another Bishop.

Gregory the Great: worked to change views of the Papacy.He believed the Pope as the successor to Peter-One of Jesus’ Apostles and considered the first Bishop of Rome- the Pope was the supreme patriarch of the church.

At the time that Gregory had become Pope Rome had beenover run by Barbarians. He had been trying to solicit the help of the Byzantine Empire. However, he was seen as just a Bishop of a dead city.As a result, he began reforms that strengthened the Papacy and Cannon law. (Church law)He encouraged missionary work and monasticism.He encouraged people to care of the poor and less fortunate winning the respect of the people throughout Europe.

Interpretations of Faith

• As Christianity spread through diverse populations, people interpreted faith in different ways

• Debates arose over questions like humanity, divinity of Jesus

Used Ideas of Plato

• Augustine’s writings helped shape Christian doctrine for centuries

• City of God: people should pay less attention to material world than to God’s plan for world; attempted to convince Romans God had not abandoned them

Written Explanations

• To prevent, resolve conflicts, influential theologians wrote explanations to set forth church’s official positions

• Most influential of medieval theologians, Augustine of Hippo

Sharing Beliefs

monasticism: Benedictine/Celtic

St. Benedict – Benedictine Rule of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Named after Benedictine of Nursia (Italy) most common form of monasticism.

provided schools for the children of the upper class.

inns, hospitals, refuge in times of war.

libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminate manuscripts.

monks missionaries to the barbarians. [St. Patrick, St. Boniface]

monasticism, voluntary separation from society to dedicate one’s life to God.

Because Pope Gregory the Great increased the emphasis on monasticism it gained popularity in the young middle ages.

The first Christian monks lived in Egypt during the 200s. Monks in the beginning lived like Hermits.During the middle ages it changed. Where monks now lived in large groups living in monasteries and living by a strict code of rules. People still do this to this day.

Two monastic forms common in Europe in early Middle Ages: Benedictine, CelticBoth forms had similar rules about communal life, but the organization and details of life in their monasteries were quite different.

MONKS AND MONASTERIES

The most common form of monasticism in most of Europe during the Middle Ages was Benedictine monasticism.

• Benedict of Nursia lived in Italy early 500s

• Son of Roman noble, abandoned city to become hermit

– Inspired others to live as he did– 529, persuaded Benedict to

establish monastery with himself as first abbot

• In time other monasteries adopted Benedict’s teachings as guidelines

• Benedictine Order; vows of poverty, obedience

Benedictines

• Benedict’s rule, collection of guidelines for monks, called Benedictine Rule

• Based on daily schedule; combination of prayer, labor

• Organization of Benedictine Order– Each monastery a distinct entity– No central authority– Each run by abbot chosen by

monks, or local noble

Benedictine Rule

Monks and Monasteries

A Medieval Monk’s DayA Medieval Monk’s Day

A Medieval Monastery: The Scriptorium

A Medieval Monastery: The Scriptorium

Monasteries produced many well-educated men prepared to serve as administrators for uneducated kings and lords.

Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated ManuscriptsIllumination: Decorative borders on manuscripts the monks copied.

Calligraphy:Fancy script used by monks.

Benedictine Monks

Benedictine monasticism made tremendous contributions to Europe

• Monks ran schools that trained some of finest minds of Middle Ages

• Copied ancient manuscripts, helped preserve knowledge of Greece, Rome

• Monasteries became centers of wealth, power• Kings, nobles donated money, gifts in exchange for prayers said on

their behalf• As they became wealthier, monasteries drawn into local politics• Many monks acted as advisers, aides to local, national rulers in

Europe

• Other branch of monasticism developed in Ireland• Celtic monks more ascetic, or severe, than Benedictines• Fasted and spent days in solitary contemplation• Built monasteries on small islands to separate monks, rest of society;

believed isolation helped focus on faith

• Led by abbots with more authority than Benedictine counterparts

• Since Ireland had no large cities, people looked to abbots of local monasteries for spiritual guidance

Abbots’ Authority• Lindisfarne Gospels among

greatest artistic achievements of Middle Ages

• Monks were scholars, ran schools; preserved ancient knowledge

• Others active missionaries in British Isles; built monasteries in Europe

Scholars, Missionaries

Celtic Monasteries

Major Power• Clovis vowed to become Christian if troops won• 496, Clovis, 3,000 Franks baptized in massive public

ceremony• Franks became major power in western Europe• 800s, height of Frankish power, led by Charlemagne

The Franks

• 400s, another Germanic kingdom established in former Roman province of Gaul—modern France—by Franks

• Led by king named Clovis, Franks defeated neighbors to build powerful kingdom

Charlemagne’s EmpireCharlemagne’s Empire

CHARLEMAGNE’S EMPIRE

CAROLINGIANS- Family DynastyCharles Martel- Charlemagne’s grandfather

defeated Moors( Muslim invaders from Spain) “Martel” nickname means the hammer.

In 732 A.D Battle of ToursStops the invasion of Islam into northern Europe.

Charlemagne’s Rise to Power• Charlemagne, Old French for Charles the Great• Historically considered one of most important leaders in European

history.• Military genius.

Charles Pippin (son of Charles Martel)• Became first king of Carolingian dynasty in 751 A.D• Upon death, 768, Pippin passed kingdom to son, ruler known today

as Charlemagne

• called on him for help when Lombard's attacked Papal States, 774

• Papal states, region in central Italy under control of Pope.

• Franks defeated Lombards; Charlemagne became king of Lombards as well as Franks

Pope Leo III• Each year Charlemagne would

assemble an army and led it into battle against one of his foes.

• Added land of defeated foes. Formed alliances with local rulers.

• In this way Charlemagne increased size and power of Carolingian kingdom

Increased Kingdom

Military Power

• Pope Leo III thanked Charlemagne by naming him emperor of Roman people.

• Title implied Charlemagne had restored glory of Roman Empire in Europe.

• Pope’s action suggested that Charlemagne’s rule had backing of church, God.

A Pope’s Thanks• Pope Leo III grateful for

Charlemagne’s help against Lombards and formed alliance.

• 799, called on Charlemagne again when angry supporters of previous pope ran Leo out of Rome.

• Charlemagne had Leo escorted back to Rome, restored to power.

Another Cry for Help

Helping the Pope

CHRISTMAS DAY 800 A. D.

Capital: Aachen first Permanent capital of the Franks. Built a huge palace and cathedral.

Counts: Officials chosen to rule parts of empire.

Inspectors: Officials to check up on counts.

Charlemagne’s Rule

Although Charlemagne is known mostly as a warrior and a political leader, he also made sweeping changes to Frankish society.

• Charlemagne personally interested in learning

• Ordered churches, monasteries to start schools

• Students learned:– Religion – Music– Grammar

Education• Noted European scholars

invited by Charlemagne to Aachen

• Spent time teaching, as well as studying, copying ancient texts

• Saved many valuable works for posterity

Scholars

A New Society

A New Society

Religion Law• Honored traditional laws of tribes

he conquered

• Had tribal laws written down. Allowed tribal laws to maintain separate existence.

• Add new laws to enforce Christian teachings.

• Worked closely with church to create a unified Christian empire. He wanted to preserve and spread Christian teachings.

• Used force to accomplish, ordered those he conquered to convert to Christianity under penalty of death.

• Sent monks to live among conquered to help Christianity take root and to educate people.

TREATY OF VERDUNDEATH OF CHARLEMAGNE814 Charlemagne dies.The kingdom goes to his son Luis the Pious.However, because their was not a strong bureaucracy in place the kingdom becomes difficult to manage.In 843 A.D Charlemagne’s 3 grandsons divide the kingdom into 3 parts at the Treaty of Verdun.It did not help because all eventually fell.