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The Formation of Christian Europe: Germanic Successor States to the Roman Empire

Explore the foundations of Christian society in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, focusing on the Germanic successor states and the rise of the Franks. Discover the conversion of Clovis and the establishment of the Carolingian Empire under Charlemagne. Learn about the invasions by the Vikings and other groups, and the dissolution of the Carolingian Empire.

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The Formation of Christian Europe: Germanic Successor States to the Roman Empire

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  1. Chapter 16 The Foundations of Christian Society in Western Europe

  2. The Germanic Successor States, c. 500 CE • Last Roman emperor deposed by Germanic Odoacer, 476 CE • Administrative apparatus still in place, but cities lose population • Germanic successor states: • Spain: Visigoths • Italy: Ostrogoths • Gaul: Burgundians, Franks • Britian: Angles, Saxons

  3. Successor states to the Roman Empire c. 500

  4. The Franks • Heavy influence on European development • Strong agricultural base • Shifts center of economic gravity to Europe • Firm alliance with western Christian church

  5. Clovis (ruled 481-511) • Major Frankish leader • Destroyed last vestiges of Roman rule in Gaul • Dominated other Germanic peoples • Franks establish themselves as preeminent Germanic people

  6. Clovis’ Conversion to Christianity • Paganism, Arian Christianity popular among Franks • Clovis and army chooses Roman Catholicism • Influence of wife Clotilda • Political implications: • Alliance with western church

  7. The Carolingians • Charles “The Hammer” Martel begins Carolingian dynasty • Defeats Spanish Muslims at Battle of Tours (732) • Halts Islamic advance into western Europe

  8. The Carolingian Empire

  9. Charlemagne (r. 768-814) • Grandson of Charles Martel • Centralized imperial rule • Functional illiterate, but sponsored extensive scholarship • Major military achievements

  10. Charlemagne’s Administration • Capital at Aachen, Germany • Yet constant travel throughout empire • Imperial officials: missi dominici (“envoys of the lord ruler) • Continued yearly circuit travel

  11. Charlemagne as Emperor • Hesitated to challenge Byzantines by taking title “emperor” • Yet ruled in fact • Pope Leo III crowns him as emperor in 800 • Planned in advance? • Challenge to Byzantium

  12. Louis the Pious (r. 814-840) • Son of Charlemagne • Lost control of courts, local authorities • Civil war erupts between three sons • Empire divided in 843

  13. Invasions • South: Muslims • East: Magyars • North: Vikings • Norse expansion begins c. 800 CE • Driven by population pressure, hostility to spread of Christianity • Superior seafaring technology • Sailed to eastern Canada, northeastern US

  14. The dissolution of the Carolingian Empire (843 CE) and the invasions of early medieval Europe in the ninth and tenth centuries

  15. The Vikings • From village of Vik, Norway (hence “Viking”) • Boats with shallow drafts, capable of river travel as well as open seas • Attacked villages, cities from 9th century • Constantinople sacked three times • Carolingians had no navy, dependent on local defenses

  16. England • Viking invasions force consolidation of Angles, Saxons and other Germanic peoples under King Alfred (r. 871-899) • Built navy • Fortified cities against attack

  17. Germany and France • King Otto of Saxony (r. 936-973) defeats Magyars, 955 • Proclaimed emperor by Pope in 962 • Establishment of Holy Roman Empire • France endures heavy Viking settlement • Loss of local autonomy

  18. Early Medieval Society • Concept of Feudalism • Lords and vassals • Increasingly inadequate model for describing complex society • Ad hoc arrangements in absence of strong central authorities

  19. Organizing in a Decentralized Society • Local nobles take over administration from weak central government • Nominal allegiances, esp. to Carolingian kings • But increasing independence

  20. Lords and Retainers • Formation of small private armies • Incentives: land grants, income from mills, cash payments • Formation of hereditary class of military retainers • Development of other functions • Justice, social welfare

  21. Potential for Instability • Complex interrelationship of lord-retainer relations • Rebellion always a possibility • Nevertheless, viable large states developed (Germany, France, England)

  22. Origins of Serfdom • Slaves, free peasants in both Roman and Germanic societies • Heavy intermarriage • Appeals to lords, special relationships • Mid-7th century: recognition of serf class • Midway between slave and free peasant

  23. Serfs’ Rights and Obligations • Right to pass on land to heirs • Obligation to provide labor, payments in kind to lord • Unable to move from land • Fees charged for marrying serfs of another lord

  24. Manors • Large, diverse estates • Lord provides governance, police, justice services • Serfs provide labor, income

  25. The Economy of Early Medieval Europe • Agricultural center moves north from Mediterranean • 8th century iron-tipped plow introduced in Europe • Draft animals bred • Water mill technology • Agricultural output insufficient to support growth of cities • Strong Mediterranean trade despite Muslim domination of sea

  26. Norse Merchant Mariners • Commerce or plunder as convenient • Link with the Islamic world for trade

  27. Population Growth of Europe, 200-1000 CE

  28. The Formation of Christian Europe • Clovis’ conversion forms strong alliance with Roman Christianity • Church supplies Clovis with class of literate information workers: • Scribes • secretaries

  29. The Franks and the Church • Protectors of the Papacy • Charlemagne destroys Lombards, who threatened Pope, Rome • Spreads Christianity in northern areas • Support of scholarship, scribal activity

  30. The Spread of Christianity • Charlemagne fights pagan Saxons (772-804) • Saxons later adopt Christianity • Scandinavia, other pockets of paganism until c. 1000 CE

  31. Pope Gregory I (590-604 CE) • “Gregory the Great” • Asserted papal primacy • Prominent theologian • Sacrament of penance • Major missionary activity, especially in England

  32. Monasticism • Egyptian origins, 2nd-3rd centuries • Monastic lifestyle expands 4th century • Large variety of monastic rules • Range from extremely ascetic to very lax

  33. St. Benedict (480-547) • Established consistent rule for monasteries • Poverty • Chastity • Obedience • St. Scholastica (482-543) • Sister of St. Benedict • Adapts Benedictine Rule for convents

  34. Monasticism and Society • Accumulation of large landholdings, serfs • Social welfare projects • Esp. labor contributions • Expansion of literacy • Inns, orphanages, hospitals

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