The Early Middle The Early Middle AgesAges

476-1000476-1000

The Early Middle AgesThe Early Middle Ages

► In 476 A.D. Emperor Romulus Augustus fell In 476 A.D. Emperor Romulus Augustus fell from power when Rome was conquered by from power when Rome was conquered by the Ostrogoths. the Ostrogoths.

►     With the disappearance of the Roman With the disappearance of the Roman Empire Europe will fall into a “Dark Age.”Empire Europe will fall into a “Dark Age.”

►     A “Dark Age” is a period when cultural A “Dark Age” is a period when cultural gains of a society are lost.gains of a society are lost.

►       These “Dark Ages” will occur from 500 to These “Dark Ages” will occur from 500 to 1000 A.D.1000 A.D.

►     Gradually, Roman culture died out.Gradually, Roman culture died out.

The Middle AgesThe Middle Ages

► The period following the collapse of the The period following the collapse of the Roman Empire – between classical times Roman Empire – between classical times and the modern era – is called the Middles and the modern era – is called the Middles Ages, or the medieval period.Ages, or the medieval period.

► Medieval comes from the Latin word, Medieval comes from the Latin word, MediusMedius, meaning “middle,” and , meaning “middle,” and aevumaevum, , meaning “age.”meaning “age.”

►       This period is generally considered to have This period is generally considered to have lasted form about the year 500 to about lasted form about the year 500 to about 1500. 1500.

Frankish Rulers Govern EuropeFrankish Rulers Govern Europe

► When the Roman Empire fell apart in the 400’s, When the Roman Empire fell apart in the 400’s, Western Europe descended into anarchy and Western Europe descended into anarchy and confusion.confusion.

►     Government nearly ceased to exist, and invaders Government nearly ceased to exist, and invaders roamed about almost at will.roamed about almost at will.

►       Various Germanic tribes migrated across Europe.Various Germanic tribes migrated across Europe.►         These tribes set up kingdoms, but they did not These tribes set up kingdoms, but they did not

create strong governments.create strong governments.►         The invaders were usually a small group ruling a The invaders were usually a small group ruling a

much larger population by military force.much larger population by military force.►       Some Germanic tribes will eventually play a greater Some Germanic tribes will eventually play a greater

role in Europe.role in Europe.►         The Franks will be one of these influential tribes.The Franks will be one of these influential tribes.

Clovis and the MerovingiansClovis and the Merovingians

►     In 481, a ruler of great ability, Clovis, Became king In 481, a ruler of great ability, Clovis, Became king of one of the Frankish tribes.of one of the Frankish tribes.

►         Clovis and his successors were called Clovis and his successors were called Merovingians because they traced their ancestry Merovingians because they traced their ancestry back to a man named Merovig.back to a man named Merovig.

►         Clovis was brutal, cruel, and without conscience, Clovis was brutal, cruel, and without conscience, but an excellent military leader.but an excellent military leader.

►       Under his command his people conquered the Under his command his people conquered the other Frankish tribes and soon controlled all other Frankish tribes and soon controlled all northern Gaul.northern Gaul.

►       A few years after Clovis became king of the A few years after Clovis became king of the Franks, an important event took place.Franks, an important event took place.

Clovis and ChristianityClovis and Christianity

►         A few years after becoming king, Clovis had a A few years after becoming king, Clovis had a series of military defeats.series of military defeats.

►         He made an agreement with his Christian wife He made an agreement with his Christian wife that he should pray to her god and if he won his that he should pray to her god and if he won his next battle he would convert to Christianity.next battle he would convert to Christianity.

►         Clovis won his next battle, and along with his Clovis won his next battle, and along with his 3,000 soldiers he converted to Christianity.3,000 soldiers he converted to Christianity.

►         Because he became a Christian, he gained the Because he became a Christian, he gained the support of the Christian Church in Rome.support of the Christian Church in Rome.

►       Clovis ended up ruling much of what is modern Clovis ended up ruling much of what is modern day France.day France.

►       Upon his death his kingdom was divided among Upon his death his kingdom was divided among all of his sons, as was their custom.all of his sons, as was their custom.

The “Do Nothing Kings”The “Do Nothing Kings”

►Later Merovingian kings only thought of Later Merovingian kings only thought of luxuries and personal pleasures.luxuries and personal pleasures.

► These kings became known as the “Do These kings became known as the “Do Nothing Kings.”Nothing Kings.”

► These kings left the business of running These kings left the business of running the government to various palace officials.the government to various palace officials.

►         The official known as the “Mayor of the The official known as the “Mayor of the Palace” actually ran the government. Palace” actually ran the government.

The “Mayor of the Palace”The “Mayor of the Palace”

► In 700 AD, the Mayor of the Palace, Pepin the In 700 AD, the Mayor of the Palace, Pepin the Elder, made his position hereditary.Elder, made his position hereditary.

►     His successors were Frankish kings in all but His successors were Frankish kings in all but name.name.

►     Pepin was followed by his son, Charles Martel.Pepin was followed by his son, Charles Martel.►     In 732, he gained the name of “Charles the In 732, he gained the name of “Charles the

Hammer”, for defeating the Moslems at the Hammer”, for defeating the Moslems at the Battle of Tours.Battle of Tours.

►     When Charles died in 741, his son, Pepin the When Charles died in 741, his son, Pepin the Short inherited a large and powerful kingdom.Short inherited a large and powerful kingdom.

Pepin the ShortPepin the Short

►Pepin wished to be king, so he looked to Pepin wished to be king, so he looked to the Pope in Rome for advice.the Pope in Rome for advice.

►     The Pope replied that the man with the The Pope replied that the man with the power should be king.power should be king.

►       In 751, Pepin was elected king by the In 751, Pepin was elected king by the Frankish nobles, ending the Merovingian Frankish nobles, ending the Merovingian dynasty.dynasty.

►Three years later, Pepin was crowned by Three years later, Pepin was crowned by the Pope, “King by the grace of God.” the Pope, “King by the grace of God.”

The “Donation of Pepin”The “Donation of Pepin”

►     In exchange for his support, the Pope asked Pepin In exchange for his support, the Pope asked Pepin to help him against the invading Lombards who were to help him against the invading Lombards who were threatening Rome.threatening Rome.

►       Pepin defeated the Lombards and his his “Donation Pepin defeated the Lombards and his his “Donation of Pepin” gave the Pope the lands surrounding Rome.of Pepin” gave the Pope the lands surrounding Rome.

►       These lands were known as the “Papal States.”These lands were known as the “Papal States.”►       Pepin died having two sons, Carloman and Charles.Pepin died having two sons, Carloman and Charles.►         Carloman soon died without an heir and Charles Carloman soon died without an heir and Charles

inherited the entire kingdom.inherited the entire kingdom.►       Charles is claimed as a national hero by both the Charles is claimed as a national hero by both the

Franks and the Germans.Franks and the Germans.

CharlemagneCharlemagne

► Charles will become known by different names Charles will become known by different names throughout Europe.throughout Europe.

►       Karl de Grosse (Ger.)Karl de Grosse (Ger.)►       Carolus Magnus (Latin)Carolus Magnus (Latin)►         Charles the Great (Britain)Charles the Great (Britain)►       Charlemagne (France)Charlemagne (France)►       Charlemagne, who ruled the Franks for 40 years Charlemagne, who ruled the Franks for 40 years

is one of the outstanding men in history.is one of the outstanding men in history.►       He had little education, but was highly intelligent He had little education, but was highly intelligent

and was also very religious.and was also very religious.►       He spent most of his time at war, defeating the He spent most of his time at war, defeating the

Avars, Saxons, Lombards and Moslems in Spain. Avars, Saxons, Lombards and Moslems in Spain.

Reign of CharlemagneReign of Charlemagne

►     By the end of Charlemagne’s reign his By the end of Charlemagne’s reign his kingdom included most of Western Europe.kingdom included most of Western Europe.

►     On Christmas Day, in 800 AD, he was crowned On Christmas Day, in 800 AD, he was crowned by the Pope Leo III as “Emperor of the Romans.”by the Pope Leo III as “Emperor of the Romans.”

►       For the first time in almost 400 years Europe For the first time in almost 400 years Europe was somewhat united and Charlemagne was was somewhat united and Charlemagne was considered a successor of the Roman emperors.considered a successor of the Roman emperors.

►       His coronation also showed the importance of His coronation also showed the importance of the ties between the Franks and the Church in the ties between the Franks and the Church in Rome.Rome.

Reign of CharlemagneBy the end of Charlemagne’s reign his kingdom included most of Western Europe. On Christmas Day, in 800 AD, he was crowned by the Pope Leo III as “Emperor of the Romans.” For the first time in almost 400 years Europe was somewhat united and Charlemagne was considered a successor of the Roman emperors. His coronation also showed the importance of the ties between the Franks and the Church in Rome.

Charlemagne’s EmpireCharlemagne’s Empire

►       Charlemagne’s empire was divided into districts Charlemagne’s empire was divided into districts with each being governed by a count.with each being governed by a count.

►         Each count administered the laws of the district Each count administered the laws of the district and raised an army for Charlemagne.and raised an army for Charlemagne.

►       Charlemagne established his capital at the city of Charlemagne established his capital at the city of Aachen.Aachen.

►     Taxes were low since the expenses of the Taxes were low since the expenses of the government were low.government were low.

►       Charlemagne was greatly interested in education.Charlemagne was greatly interested in education.►       He established a “Palace School” at his court to He established a “Palace School” at his court to

teach his children and those of his officials.teach his children and those of his officials.

AlcuimAlcuim

►     Learned men from all over the kingdom were Learned men from all over the kingdom were invited to teach at his school.invited to teach at his school.

►     One of the most famous of these men was Alcuim of One of the most famous of these men was Alcuim of York.York.

►       Alcuim set up a curriculum based upon Latin Alcuim set up a curriculum based upon Latin studies and became the center of learning for studies and became the center of learning for Europe.Europe.

►       Studies included rhetoric, grammar, logic, Studies included rhetoric, grammar, logic, astronomy, music and geometry.astronomy, music and geometry.

►     Bishops were ordered to begin libraries by copying Bishops were ordered to begin libraries by copying Latin manuscripts and to organize schools.Latin manuscripts and to organize schools.

►     Any children with ability were given the chance to Any children with ability were given the chance to attend.attend.

Death of CharlemagneDeath of Charlemagne    

►Death of CharlemagneDeath of Charlemagne►Only through Charlemagne’s power was he Only through Charlemagne’s power was he

able to keep his empire united. able to keep his empire united. The local counts had to be watched constantly. The local counts had to be watched constantly.

► Upon his death, the empire fell into the Upon his death, the empire fell into the control of his only son, Louis the Pious. control of his only son, Louis the Pious. Louis was very religious, but a very poor ruler. Louis was very religious, but a very poor ruler.

► Upon his death, the kingdom was divided Upon his death, the kingdom was divided among his three sons. among his three sons.

► After some quarreling, they agreed to a After some quarreling, they agreed to a settlement known as the Treaty of Verdun. settlement known as the Treaty of Verdun.

The Treaty of VerdunThe Treaty of Verdun

►The treaty would divide the kingdom The treaty would divide the kingdom into three parts.into three parts.

►     Charles the Bald – present day Charles the Bald – present day FranceFrance

►         Louis the German – modern day Louis the German – modern day Germany Germany

►         Lothair – received a narrow strip Lothair – received a narrow strip from the North Sea to Italy.from the North Sea to Italy.

End of the EmpireEnd of the Empire

►       Charlemagne’s descendants were Charlemagne’s descendants were incompetent rulers.incompetent rulers.

►Future invasionsFuture invasions