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How might the study of medieval Europe affect our thinking about the world today? In other words, why do we study medieval Europe? Why does it even matter?. A New Western Empire. Refer to Pages 185-192. Guiding Questions:.
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How might the study of medieval Europe affect our thinking about the world today? In other words, why do we study medieval Europe? Why does it even matter?
A New Western Empire Refer to Pages 185-192
Guiding Questions: • What post-Roman Empire political conditions led to the rise of the Carolingian Empire? What factors led to its disintegration, setting the stage for the feudal system?
Clovis I • “King of the Franks” • Conversion to Christianity • Supported by the Roman Church - alliance
Merovingian House • “Do-Nothing Kings” • Descendents of Clovis I • Mayors of the palace • Pepin II • Defeated the others • Reunited Frankish territory • Separate ruling “lineage” • Grandson, Pepin the Short took over rule as “king” • Carolingian House
Donation of Pepin • Lombard threat • Papal states • Pope becomes ruler in European politics
Empire of Charlemagne • Carloman and Charles • Charles = Greatest Carolingian king • “Charlemagne”
Charlemagne • Beheaded his prisoners in cold blood • Divorced and remarried many times • Strong • Tall • Stately • Dignified • Abhorred drunkenness
Charlemagne’s Conquests • United much of Europe • Rescued Rome (again) • Defeated Avars • Drove back the Spanish Muslims • Created administrative districts • Foundation of modern Germany, France, and Italy
Pope crowns Charlemagne and proclaims him as Roman Emperor! • Revived the idea of another Roman Empire • Raises a serious question: • Whose authority is supreme—the state’s or the church’s? • This struggle will continue throughout the Middle Ages
Carolingian Renaissance • Charlemagne loved to learn; royal court at Aix-la-Chapelle became leading center of learning • Became concerned with better-educated clergy • Emphasis on education renewed interest in the Bible and in classical literature • Monasteries as libraries, universities
Disintegration of Charlemagne’s Empire • Domestic Problems: • Civil war after Louis the Pious • Treaty of Verdun • Charles the Bald = West Frankland • Louis the German = East Frankland • Lothair = Central Kingdom
Disintegration of Charlemagne’s Empire • International Problems: • Saracens (Muslims) • Magyars • Vikings