• 1/6/14 Focus1/6/14 Focus:: – The gradual decline of the Roman Empire

ushered in an era of European history called the Middle Ages, or the medieval period.

Do Now:Do Now:What does the graph tells us about the population in Roman cities after the fall of Rome in 476 AD?

The Middle AgesThe Middle Ages

The Early Middle AgesThe Early Middle Ages

Impact of the Fall of RomeImpact of the Fall of Rome

The Middle AgesThe Middle Ages

• 500-1500 AD• Divided into 3 periods– Early Middle Ages (500-1000 )– High Middle Ages (1000-1300)– Late Middle Ages (1300-1500)

The Early Middle AgesThe Early Middle Ages• 500-1000 AD500-1000 AD• Fall of Rome led

to changes in government, economics, and culture of western Europe

• The Dark AgesThe Dark Ages

Impact of Germanic Invasions Impact of Germanic Invasions and Collapse of Rome on W. and Collapse of Rome on W.

EuropeEurope

• Disruption of trade– invasions– Roads were

unsafe to travel – Business and

trade collapsed– Money became

scarce

Impact of Germanic Invasions and Impact of Germanic Invasions and Collapse of RomeCollapse of Rome

• Cities abandoned as centers of government power–Law and order collapsed

Impact of Germanic Invasions and Impact of Germanic Invasions and Collapse of RomeCollapse of Rome

• Population shifts– People left cities to

farm in countryside

Impact of Germanic Impact of Germanic Invasions and Collapse of Invasions and Collapse of

RomeRome• People become self-

sufficient– They must be able to

make and do everything for themselves.

Impact of Germanic Invasions Impact of Germanic Invasions and Collapse of Romeand Collapse of Rome

• Decline of learning and knowledge– Roman learning declined

rapidly as people left cities – Few people could read or

write• Except for priests and

Catholic church officials• Most Germanic tribes did

not have written language or know how to read

– Knowledge of Greek literature, science, and philosophy almost disappeared

Impact of Germanic Invasions Impact of Germanic Invasions and Collapse of Romeand Collapse of Rome

• Loss of a common language – Latin language had

united the Roman Empire

– Mixing of Germanic people into empire lead to changes in Latin• Different dialects

developed• Led to the formation

of the romance languages

Impact of Germanic Impact of Germanic Invasions and Collapse of Invasions and Collapse of

RomeRome• Roman

Empire replaced by small kingdoms throughout Europe

ClosureClosure

• Identify one effect that the fall of Rome and invasions by Germanic tribes had on western Europe?

• Why is the early Middle Ages also known as the Dark Ages?