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Explore the transition from the decline of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance, including the rise of the Byzantine Empire, feudalism, the challenges of the Dark Ages, and the advancements in the Islamic world. Discover the common factors behind the success of great empires throughout history.
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Europe a Leader? Seriously? The World of the Middle Ages and the move toward the Renaissance
What Rome Left Behind • As Rome’s power wanes more and more tribes start to migrate in to Roman lands • Emperor Constantine in 330CE moved the capital of the Roman Empire to the old Greek city of Byzantium renaming it Constantinople (today you know it as Istanbul) • In 395 the Empire is effectively split in two • In the last centuries of the Western Empire local estates called Villas become self sufficient units with their own lands for hunting and farming that could provide for the local population • Many scholars identify 476 as the date the Roman Empire falls but in reality the Empire had been in decay for many years. The deposing of Romulus Augustulus was just the final act • So is that it then?
Of Course not! Not even close
The Byzantine Empire • Many western Europeans see the fall of Rome as the end of the Roman Empire but in reality if you recall the Empire split in two • Byzantium with it’s capital Constantinople in modern day Turkey still thrived • This part of the empire lasted for almost another 1000 years until 1453 when Constantinople falls to the Ottomans led by 21 year old Sultan Mehmed II • This is momentous because Constantinople is the gateway to Europe and now the Ottomans are free to invade Europe unobstructed
The Feudal System • In the wake of Rome’s fall there is a power vacuum left in Europe. People are left looking for ways to be protected and to live outside of Rome’s vast protective reach • Feudalism refers to the relationship between a lord and his vassal • Lord is a pretty obvious term but the term vassal refers to a free man who puts himself and often his family under the protection of a lord and in return he offered military service • The Fief - the Lord’s land and the Serfs that work it - given to the vassal by the lord • Serfs worked the land but were also required to work a minimum amount of time on the Lord’s lands as well - this is considered indebted servitude • This system worked because everyone knew their roles and it could be beneficial for all parties
The Dark Ages? • The Dark Ages is the period historians often refer to as the Middle Ages. • In short, it isn’t that dark and it is a term that is quite Eurocentric because it is only referring to Europe and not the rest of the world • Let’s check out a couple of videos to see what they have to say on the issue
Plague and Death or What the Middle Ages called: Population Control • In the 14th Century plague, famine and war decimated the population • Between 1300 - 1450 almost every region of Europe declines in population dramatically • In 1328 France has a population of 15 million people - they would not reach this number again for 200 years • England in 1347 has a population of 3.7 million people - by 1377 their population is about 2.2 million people • It is estimated that during this period Europe’s population declines by at least 50% or more • What!? • The Triumph of Death by Pieter Bruegel the Elder painted c. 1562
Causes of the Population Decline • Famine - By the 1300s there were too many people to support agriculturally • It is important to remember that they didn’t have the modern technology that we have today but in some cases they were trying to feed the same number of people • If people didn’t starve to death they might still die of malnutrition
Causes Con’t The Plague • The Black Death (Bubonic Plague) • Mortality rate was 90% • Travelled to Europe by ships with infected rats • It spread through the caravan routes along Central Asia and arrived at the Black Sea ports • The plague first broke out in Messina and spread from there
War! • The Hundred Years War lasted from 1337 - 1453 • Casualties - well, lots • Who? England and France • Why? Control of the Kingdom of France • Result - Many truces and England loses most of it’s continental possessions. Oh, and a lot of dead people • This war also sees a transition towards a professional army as opposed to a feudal army
The East - Were they Dark Too? • Nope, in fact the Islamic world was years ahead of Europe in many areas • Universities are founded • Science is based on logic and not the rule of the church • Founded Optometry • Modernize Medicine
Empire’s Con’t • Strong Leadership • Strong Economy • Strong Military • Great Geography - Let’s explore this a little further because geography has a big part to play in Italy’s Renaissance
Observational Challenge 1. What do these Empires have in common? Consider the following: • Region • Location • Resources • Stretch - how far they reach 2. What strengths and weaknesses do Empires inherently face? 3. Your tables will be assigned an Empire - your task is to find out why they collapsed?
Italy’s Advantage • Before we being the actual Renaissance let’s look at Italy. Why were they perfectly situated for the Renaissance to start there? • What advantages did they have going for them?
