The Middle Ages

The Dark Ages

1Background music Nothing Else Matters, Masters of Chant

Lost EmpireWhen Rome fell, knowledge went with it.Libraries were burned and there was little interest in literature or artsThe army was lost too leaving the people with no protection.

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New Germanic KingdomsGermanic invaders overrun western Roman Empire in 400sFighting disrupts trade and governmentpeople abandon citiesThis marks the beginning of the Middle Ages, 500 AD to 1500 AD (approx)

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New Germanic KingdomsAs cities are abandoned and the level of learning declines, knowledge of the Latin language and culture is almost completely lost.Introduction of the Germanic dialects changes Latin into new languages. As a result, Europe loses its common language

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New Germanic KingdomsGermanic peoples began moving into Roman territory by the third century. The Visigoths occupied Spain and Italy.The Ostrogoths took control of Italy in the fifth century.

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New Germanic KingdomsBy 500 AD the Western Roman Empire was under complete control of Germanic kings.

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New Germanic KingdomsTwo powerful Germanic tribes were the Angles from Denmark and the Saxons from Northern Germany. They moved into Britain in the 5th century and became known as the Anglo-Saxons.

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Charles Martel686 741 ADNickname:Charles the HammerEarly Ruler of the Frankish kingdomFather to Pepin (the short)Grandfather to Charlemagne

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Charles MartelBest known for:Defeating the Muslims at the Battle of Tours in 732 ADEarned the nickname the HammerConsidered a founding figure of the Middle Ages

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Charles MartelThe Battle of Tours: 732 AD

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CLOVIS and the Franks

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ClovisDec. 25th, 496 AD, he converts to ChristianityBy 511 AD he established the Frankish kingdom.Helped by the church

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ClovisDecember 25th, 496 AD, he converts to Christianity established the Frankish kingdom. He resisted the pleas of his wife to convert.During a battle that was going badly he called on Jesus, promising to believe and be baptized if Jesus came to his aid. After his plea, the enemy fled and Clovis converted.

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Charlemagne(Charles the Great)

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CharlemagneOn December 25th, 800 AD he was crowned emperor of the Romans by the pope. Founder of the Holy Roman Empire.United much of Western Europe into a Christian kingdomConsidered one of historys greatest kings

17This testifies to the enduring nature of the idea of the Roman Empire.The coronation also symbolized the coming together of the Romans, Christian, and Germanic elements that forged European civilization.

CharlemagneFather of EuropeConsidered one of historys greatest kings.

18During his reign there was a renewed interest in Latin culture and classical works (works of Greeks and Romans) as a result of his desire to promote learning.Monasteries played an important role in the revival of learning.Benedictine monks copied Christian and classical Latin manuscripts in scriptoria, or writing rooms.Most of the Roman works we have today exist because Carolingian monks copied them.

The Vikings

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VIKINGS!Vikings invade western Europe around 800 ADThey come from Scandinavia:Denmark, Norway, Sweden

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VIKINGS!Viking long ships sail in shallow water, allowing raids inland.The arrival of Viking raiders destroyed the unity that Charlemagne established.

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The Vikings

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The Vikings

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And soPeople turned to feudalism for protection.Landowners hired knights to protect the peasants who agreed to work for the landowners.This further divided Europe.

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