Ancient Civ.

1. Ancient Civ. Ch. 7-1 The Early Middle Ages

2. Western Europe Declines • Roman Empire used to include most of Western Europe • Included Christianity and Latin Languages • The Germanic peoples who battled the Romans would keep many of these trends • 500-1000 Western Europe experienced political, social, and economic decline • Known as the Dark Ages • 500-1500 became known as the Middle Ages • Culture known as medieval civilization

3. The Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms • Germanic tribes that conquered parts of the Roman empire • Goths, Vandals, Saxons, and Franks • Mostly farmers and herders • No big cities or written laws • Kings elected by tribal councils • Warriors loyal to the king • Between 400-700 carved Western Europe into small kingdoms

4. The Franks Extend Their Power • 486 King Clovis conquered Gaul • Became the kingdom of France • Clovis converted to Christianity • The religion of his subjects of Gaul • Gained the support of the pope, leader of the Christian Church of Rome

5. A Muslim Empire Threatens Europe • Around the 600s Islam began in Arabia • Followers known as Muslims • Built a huge and expanding empire • Muslims ruled from Palestine to North Africa to present-day Spain • Make Christian kings uncomfortable • When Muslims crossed into France • They were stopped by Charles Martel with Frankish Warriors at the Battle of Tours (732) • But in time would trade with them

6. The Age of Charlemagne • 768, the grandson of Charles Martel became king of the Franks • Briefly united Western Europe • Empire included France, Germany, and part of Italy • Became known as Charlemagne or “Charles the Great” • Charlemagne spent most of his 46 year reign fighting Muslims in Spain, Saxons in the north, Avars and Slavs in the east, and Lombards in Italy

7. A New Emperor of the Romans • 799 Charlemagne was asked by Pope Leo III to help against rebellious nobles in Rome • His victory culminated on Christmas 800 given a crown and called “Emperor of the Romans” • Angered the emperor of eastern Roman empire • Constantinople • Deepened the split between eastern and western Christian worlds

8. Creating a Unified Christian Empire • Charlemagne tried to unify Christian Europe • Converted many Saxons and Slavs • Left missi dominici officials in control of provinces • Check on roads, listen to grievances and see justice was done

9. A Revival of Learning • Charlemagne thought education would unify • He could read but not write • Created local schools • Also wanted to revive the glory of Rome

10. Europe After Charlemagne • Charlemagne died in 814 • Louis I his son took the throne • Louis’ son fought for the throne • 843 Treaty of Verdun created, split the empire into three regions

11. Charlemagne’s Legacy • Extended the Christian civilization into northern Europe • Blended Germanic, Roman, and Christian traditions • Strong, efficient governments

12. New Waves of Invasions • Late 800s, Muslims conquered Sicily • 900s until fighting in the Middle East subsided Muslim attacks • 900, nomadic people settled in Hungary • Magyars • Overran eastern Europe and moved to plunder Germany, parts of France, and Italy • Pushed back in about 50 years

13. Raiders From the North • Vikings broke the last threads of unity in Charlemagne’s empire • Scandinavian • Norway, Sweden, and Denmark • Farmers ruled by land-owning chieftains • Expert sailors • Traders and explorers • 1000 short lived colony in North America