A New Civilization A New Civilization Emerges in Western Emerges in Western

Europe - Europe -

““Were the Dark Ages Really Were the Dark Ages Really All That Dark?”All That Dark?”

The Germanic PeoplesThe Germanic Peoples

The Western Roman Empire fell to Germanic The Western Roman Empire fell to Germanic invaders in 476 C.E. – historians mark this as invaders in 476 C.E. – historians mark this as the start of the Middles Ages/Dark Ages – the the start of the Middles Ages/Dark Ages – the time between the Roman Empire and the time between the Roman Empire and the Renaissance in Europe.Renaissance in Europe.

The early Middle Ages may be called “Dark” The early Middle Ages may be called “Dark” in the sense that the unity the Roman Empire in the sense that the unity the Roman Empire brought to Europe was destroyed.brought to Europe was destroyed.

Theodoric the Great – the Ostrogoth king tried Theodoric the Great – the Ostrogoth king tried to rule Roman by maintaining the Senate, etc. to rule Roman by maintaining the Senate, etc. – but continued invasions destroyed the – but continued invasions destroyed the political unity that Rome provided.political unity that Rome provided.

The Germanic peoples were people from Eastern The Germanic peoples were people from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. They had similar languages Europe and Eurasia. They had similar languages and cultural backgrounds. The largest of the and cultural backgrounds. The largest of the invading groups were:invading groups were: FranksFranks OstrogothsOstrogoths LombardsLombards VisigothVisigoth SaxonsSaxons AnglesAngles AlemaniiAlemanii ThuringiansThuringians VandalsVandals

The Germanic peoples invaded and The Germanic peoples invaded and conquered most of Europe by the conquered most of Europe by the 600s. They mixed with the local 600s. They mixed with the local populations over time.populations over time.

With the removal of Roman political With the removal of Roman political power and unity – local chieftains power and unity – local chieftains assumed power and began to divide assumed power and began to divide Europe into many smaller realms – Europe into many smaller realms – eventually kingdoms.eventually kingdoms.

The Roman Catholic ChurchThe Roman Catholic Church

When the political entity that was Rome When the political entity that was Rome was destroyed – the Christian Church in was destroyed – the Christian Church in Rome became the only force that Rome became the only force that provided any sense of unity in Europe.provided any sense of unity in Europe.

As the Germanic invaders became As the Germanic invaders became Christian – the Church gained influence Christian – the Church gained influence and the new converts gained legitimacy.and the new converts gained legitimacy.

The Church became the center of daily life in The Church became the center of daily life in most areas – as the Church was the source of most areas – as the Church was the source of most education, health care – really all most education, health care – really all aspects of life.aspects of life.

Many men and women entered religious life Many men and women entered religious life as priests, monks, and nuns. In many ways, as priests, monks, and nuns. In many ways, a life in the Church provided people with a life in the Church provided people with more education and stability than as lay more education and stability than as lay people.people.

Monasteries, abbeys and nunneries grew Monasteries, abbeys and nunneries grew throughout Europe. throughout Europe.

Gregory the Great Gregory the Great

Pope Gregory the GreatPope Gregory the Great

Supported the monasticSupported the monastic

movement and themovement and the

Christianization of theChristianization of the

Germans.Germans.

This broadened and This broadened and

strengthened the Church.strengthened the Church.

Monks and nuns maintained Monks and nuns maintained knowledge of medicines, botany and knowledge of medicines, botany and other sciences. Monks copied the Bible other sciences. Monks copied the Bible as well as important books. Many as well as important books. Many thank the Irish monks for maintaining thank the Irish monks for maintaining the knowledge of the West – as they the knowledge of the West – as they copied books and protected them from copied books and protected them from the Vikings and other invaders.the Vikings and other invaders.

St. BenedictSt. Benedict

St. Benedict of Nursia was St. Benedict of Nursia was born to a wealthy Roman born to a wealthy Roman family ca. 480 C.E.family ca. 480 C.E.

As a priest he established As a priest he established religious communities for religious communities for monks.monks.

The early days of Christianity The early days of Christianity saw myriad communities of saw myriad communities of monks, nuns, hermits, etc. monks, nuns, hermits, etc. with various rules and with various rules and systems of organizations.systems of organizations.

Benedict established “The Benedict established “The Rule of St. Benedict” which Rule of St. Benedict” which gave structure and guidelines gave structure and guidelines to early Christina religious to early Christina religious orders. He is viewed as the orders. He is viewed as the father of monasticism.father of monasticism.

As medieval society As medieval society developed, the Catholic developed, the Catholic Church expanded its Church expanded its bureaucracy – in bureaucracy – in religious and secular religious and secular areas.areas.

New religious orders New religious orders such as the Franciscans such as the Franciscans and the Order of St. and the Order of St. Clare dramatically Clare dramatically changed the relationship changed the relationship of the Church with the of the Church with the people of Europe.people of Europe.

Theology and ReasonTheology and Reason

The philosophy of the Hellenistic world did not The philosophy of the Hellenistic world did not disappear after the fall of the western Roman disappear after the fall of the western Roman Empire – but the study and application of those Empire – but the study and application of those philosophies was centered in the Byzantine and philosophies was centered in the Byzantine and Islamic worlds. The Crusades, trade, and other Islamic worlds. The Crusades, trade, and other points of contact led the philosophies of the points of contact led the philosophies of the Hellenistic and Roman worlds to return to Hellenistic and Roman worlds to return to western Europe through cultural diffusion.western Europe through cultural diffusion.

BUT…how would these pre-Christian ideas fit in BUT…how would these pre-Christian ideas fit in a world centered about the Catholic Church?a world centered about the Catholic Church?

Aristotle was praised by Aristotle was praised by medieval scholars for his medieval scholars for his sense of logic.sense of logic.

French writer PETER French writer PETER ABELARD 1079-1142 C.E. ABELARD 1079-1142 C.E. in his work in his work Yes and No used the new examination of logic to question commonly held beliefs in all aspects of life – including religion.

What happens if people What happens if people begin to question???begin to question???

Ask me about Heloise….Ask me about Heloise….

Is Reason Dangerous?Is Reason Dangerous?

Many in the Church Many in the Church believed that reason believed that reason would cause people to would cause people to question faith and question faith and doctrine.doctrine.

BERNARD OF BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX – monk – CLAIRVAUX – monk – believed that Abelard believed that Abelard was wrong and that was wrong and that one should use only one should use only faith and not reason in faith and not reason in matters of religion.matters of religion.

St. Thomas Aquinas ca. 1225-1274St. Thomas Aquinas ca. 1225-1274

Scholar and monk Scholar and monk Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas calmed the debate calmed the debate between faith and between faith and reason with his work reason with his work Summa TheologicaSumma Theologica

St. Thomas Aquinas stated that faith is above all, but that God had organized the world coherently and that reason and logic were tools to understand the natural order.

The Book of KellsThe Book of Kells

Churches and ArchitectureChurches and Architecture

The Church provided people with The Church provided people with refuge in a time of chaos and confusionrefuge in a time of chaos and confusion

Perhaps more than at any other time – Perhaps more than at any other time – people were concerned with religion – people were concerned with religion – their church and their own salvation. their church and their own salvation. Life was short and brutal for most Life was short and brutal for most people – the hope of an afterlife people – the hope of an afterlife influenced many of their actions.influenced many of their actions.

People sought to praise God through building People sought to praise God through building beautiful churches. Thousands and thousands beautiful churches. Thousands and thousands of churches and cathedrals were built of churches and cathedrals were built throughout Europe. Each church tried to throughout Europe. Each church tried to outdo the others – with architecture, riches outdo the others – with architecture, riches and relics.and relics.

The early churches of the Middle Ages were The early churches of the Middle Ages were built in a style called ROMANESQUE – based on built in a style called ROMANESQUE – based on the architecture of the Roman Empire. Walls the architecture of the Roman Empire. Walls were thick in order to support high ceilings.were thick in order to support high ceilings.

GothicGothic

As the Middle Ages went on – As the Middle Ages went on – architects developed a keener sense of architects developed a keener sense of physics and began to build churches in physics and began to build churches in the GOTHIC STYLE. the GOTHIC STYLE. High vaulted ceilingsHigh vaulted ceilings Large stained glass windowsLarge stained glass windows Thinner yet higher walls – flying buttressesThinner yet higher walls – flying buttresses Very ornate exteriorsVery ornate exteriors

ChartresChartres

Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey

Flying ButtressFlying Buttress

FeudalismFeudalism

With the fall of the Roman Empire – With the fall of the Roman Empire – Europeans developed a system of Europeans developed a system of political/social connection known as political/social connection known as FEUDALISM. FEUDALISM.

Feudalism was a system of responsibility Feudalism was a system of responsibility At the top of the feudal system was the LORD At the top of the feudal system was the LORD

of the land. People below him were his of the land. People below him were his VASSALS. The land the lord gave out was VASSALS. The land the lord gave out was called a FIEF. This was a bureaucratic way to called a FIEF. This was a bureaucratic way to control a kingdom.control a kingdom.

The lord usually lived in the manor The lord usually lived in the manor house or castle. Early castles were house or castle. Early castles were often built of wood in the moat and often built of wood in the moat and bailey format.bailey format.

At the bottom of the feudal system were At the bottom of the feudal system were the peasants – most of whom were SERFS. the peasants – most of whom were SERFS. They were not slaves in the normal sense They were not slaves in the normal sense – no one owned them. Instead, they were – no one owned them. Instead, they were bound to the land – the MANOR. They bound to the land – the MANOR. They could not leave the place where they lived. could not leave the place where they lived. They had to grow food or produce They had to grow food or produce products for the lord. In return, the lord products for the lord. In return, the lord promised military protection.promised military protection.

KnightsKnights

Wealthy young men often became knights – Wealthy young men often became knights – professional soldiers for their lord. The costly armor professional soldiers for their lord. The costly armor and horses meant that a knight was something a and horses meant that a knight was something a peasant almost never became.peasant almost never became.

The knights – in theory – organized their lives around The knights – in theory – organized their lives around codes of knightly behavior called the CODE OF codes of knightly behavior called the CODE OF CHIVALRY. CHIVALRY. In theoryIn theory – knights protected the weak – knights protected the weak and defenseless.and defenseless.

Most soldiers were NOT KNIGHTS. The knights were Most soldiers were NOT KNIGHTS. The knights were fighters but also well educated members of high fighters but also well educated members of high society. Most soldiers were from the peasantry and society. Most soldiers were from the peasantry and had joined the lord’s army – often to escape the toil of had joined the lord’s army – often to escape the toil of farming.farming.

Long BowLong Bow

Medieval Economics in EuropeMedieval Economics in Europe

While agriculture would be the base of European economics for While agriculture would be the base of European economics for hundreds of years, the medieval period saw the development of hundreds of years, the medieval period saw the development of trade and banking – that would lead to the development of trade and banking – that would lead to the development of capitalism.capitalism.

The Crusades demanded huge amounts of money – most of which The Crusades demanded huge amounts of money – most of which came from banking families.came from banking families.

Contact with the Byzantine and Islamic worlds led to a demand for Contact with the Byzantine and Islamic worlds led to a demand for foreign luxury goods – which required shipping – which required foreign luxury goods – which required shipping – which required money to establish businesses – banks.money to establish businesses – banks.

Inter-continental trade flourished – ex. English wool was traded in Inter-continental trade flourished – ex. English wool was traded in the markets of the Low Lands and sold throughout the continent.the markets of the Low Lands and sold throughout the continent.

Manufacturers organized into GUILDS – with guilds and guild Manufacturers organized into GUILDS – with guilds and guild masters controlling manufacturing and pricing – journeymenmasters controlling manufacturing and pricing – journeymen

Cities in the Baltic organized into the HANSEATIC LEAGUE – Cities in the Baltic organized into the HANSEATIC LEAGUE – combining trading forces in order to achieve a greater combined combining trading forces in order to achieve a greater combined profit.profit.

The German Peoples in Middle Ages EuropeThe German Peoples in Middle Ages Europe

Germanic peoples moved into Germanic peoples moved into present day Scandinavia and present day Scandinavia and northern Germany about 750 B.C.E.northern Germany about 750 B.C.E.

They were generally migratory They were generally migratory people. Not nomads, but people who people. Not nomads, but people who often moved every few generations often moved every few generations in search of better landsin search of better lands

Some of the Germanic tribes were:Some of the Germanic tribes were:

OstrogothsOstrogoths VisigothsVisigoths SaxonsSaxons AnglesAngles FranksFranks VandalsVandals AlemaniiAlemanii

The Germanic peoples met a powerful force in The Germanic peoples met a powerful force in the Roman Empire. Despite their desire to the Roman Empire. Despite their desire to move into Roman lands – the Germanic peoples move into Roman lands – the Germanic peoples were pushed back by the Roman legions.were pushed back by the Roman legions.

As the Roman Empire weakened, the Germanic As the Roman Empire weakened, the Germanic peoples pushed more and more into Roman peoples pushed more and more into Roman lands.lands.

While the Romans usually brought new peoples While the Romans usually brought new peoples into the Roman Empire, they usually kept the into the Roman Empire, they usually kept the Germanic peoples outside – sometimes taking Germanic peoples outside – sometimes taking them as slaves.them as slaves.

By the 400s, the Germanic invaders By the 400s, the Germanic invaders were taking advantage of Roman were taking advantage of Roman weakness in order to destroy the weakness in order to destroy the Roman Empire in the West.Roman Empire in the West.

After taking control over most of After taking control over most of Western Europe – the Germanic Western Europe – the Germanic peoples began to convert to peoples began to convert to Christianity.Christianity.

The FranksThe Franks

The Germanic peoples who lived in what The Germanic peoples who lived in what the Romans called Gaul were the Franks.the Romans called Gaul were the Franks.

The Franks were ruled in the 400s by the The Franks were ruled in the 400s by the MERGOVIAN DYNASTY – the best known MERGOVIAN DYNASTY – the best known Mergovian Frank king was Clovis who built Mergovian Frank king was Clovis who built the great Frank Empire.the great Frank Empire.

By the early 700s, the Mergovian kings had By the early 700s, the Mergovian kings had a title – but the real power lay with their a title – but the real power lay with their chief advisor the “mayor of the palace” chief advisor the “mayor of the palace”

The CarolingiansThe Carolingians

In 732, Charles Martel defeated the In 732, Charles Martel defeated the Muslims at the French town of Tours. Muslims at the French town of Tours. This stopped the Muslim invasion of This stopped the Muslim invasion of Europe. The popes of this time looked Europe. The popes of this time looked to Charles Martel and his family to save to Charles Martel and his family to save Christendom.Christendom.

In the 750s, Charles Martel’s son, Pepin, In the 750s, Charles Martel’s son, Pepin, defeated the Lombards – who were defeated the Lombards – who were controlling central Italy.controlling central Italy.

Pepin gave the Lombard kingdom that he Pepin gave the Lombard kingdom that he conquered to the pope. This was known as the conquered to the pope. This was known as the DONATION OF PEPIN. It strengthened the link DONATION OF PEPIN. It strengthened the link between the Carolingian Franks and the papacy.between the Carolingian Franks and the papacy.

The successes of Charles Martel and his son The successes of Charles Martel and his son Pepin led them to assume control over the Pepin led them to assume control over the Franks – taking it away from the Mergovians Franks – taking it away from the Mergovians kings. This received the approval of the pope kings. This received the approval of the pope because of the battles Charles Martel and Pepin because of the battles Charles Martel and Pepin fought in order to help the papacy.fought in order to help the papacy.

CharlemagneCharlemagne

Pepin was succeeded by his son Carl Pepin was succeeded by his son Carl (Charles in English) (Carolus in Latin). He (Charles in English) (Carolus in Latin). He was soon known as Charles the Great or was soon known as Charles the Great or CHARLEMAGNE.CHARLEMAGNE.

Charlemagne wanted to build a kingdom Charlemagne wanted to build a kingdom larger and stronger than the kingdom of his larger and stronger than the kingdom of his father’s.father’s.

Charlemagne’s motto was Charlemagne’s motto was Renovatio imperii Renovatio imperii romaniromani – Renewal of the Roman Empire – Renewal of the Roman Empire

Creation of the Holy Roman EmpireCreation of the Holy Roman Empire

Charlemagne established a system of Charlemagne established a system of bureaucracy and hierarchy within his bureaucracy and hierarchy within his lands. This allowed the kingdom to run lands. This allowed the kingdom to run efficiently and it strengthened his efficiently and it strengthened his control over the land and the nobles.control over the land and the nobles.

In 800, Pope Leo III crowned In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as “Emperor of the Charlemagne as “Emperor of the Romans” and established the Holy Romans” and established the Holy Roman Empire.Roman Empire.

This was an attempt to bring stability This was an attempt to bring stability to Europe in the days after the fall of to Europe in the days after the fall of the Roman Empire.the Roman Empire.

The term “Holy” in the H.R.E. comes The term “Holy” in the H.R.E. comes from the fact that it was the pope from the fact that it was the pope and Christianity creating the empire and Christianity creating the empire – not merely military force.– not merely military force.