Germanic Societies and the

Emergence of the Christian West

I. The Germanic Peoples Society based on kinship ties Tribes foreshadow nations (political community – see page 210) Tribal structure also forerunner to warrior kings & nobles in Europe Patriarchal Polytheistic

Circa 100 AD

By 1st century AD (CE), German tribes in constant confrontation with Roman people as they migrate into Roman territory.

II. Decline of the Western Roman Empire

A. Divided Empire (page 211) and Diocletian

Administrative and military policies laid foundation for division and eventual rise of Eastern Empire

284 AD

Late Roman Empire ….

Civil Wars 235 – 284 AD (Diocletian)

Constantine (306 – 337 AD)

Battle of Milvian Bridge (312 AD)

Sees a Vision … sign of cross …

restores empire unity Sole ruler by 324 AD Enlarges army & bureaucracy Moves capital of Roman empire to EAST - Constantinople

Read pg. 208 in text

B. Transformation of Christianity

Under Constantine: Supporter of Christian faith (see page 213) Legalized Christianity in 313 AD

Under Theodosius:380 AD made Christianity official religion of Roman Empire (see page 214 Document 9.1 Decree) Banned pagan worship Closed temples to Roman and Greek gods Ended Olympic games

Vocabulary: Bishop Pope Papal Primacy

C. Hunnic & Germanic Invasions (370 – 500 AD)

•Huns attack Goths (see map for different divisions of Germanic people)•Visigoths move south against Roman armies – 378 AD•Theodosius able to hold truce with Visigoths (see page 216-217)

Attila the Hun “scourge of God”

http://sciencestage.com/v/6139/1-3-the-most-evil-men-in-history-attila-the-hun.html#

This video is about character of Attila the Hun and his army

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMZHovydSFQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBkNuZ6rySA&NR=1

These are History Channel videos part 1 and 2 about the Battle of Chalon and the aftermath in 451/452 AD.

**Please watch these videos as the information is important in understanding the final collapse of the Roman Empire and the measure of Germanic/Hunnic tribes that came against it.

D. Fall of Rome and end of Western Empire

(textbook page 217 – 218)

Vandals take Rome in 455 AD 476 AD last Roman Emperor abdicated by German

warlord 476 AD Roman Empire in West Ends

Results:

1. Authority now rests in Pope

2. Eastern Rome (Constantinople) losses authority in West

III. Early Medieval Europe – Germanic & Christian Connections

Middle Ages = Medieval Era

Domination by Germanic Tribes Roman cities destroyed/disarray Roads, trade & money unused learning & literacy decline commerce declines central administration gone

A. Emergence of Germanic Kingdoms

(textbook page 219)

(Be familiar with the breakdown of the map 9.4 and the following slide)

Ostrogoths and Lombards = Italy

Visigoths = Spain

Franks = France

Angles & Saxons = England

B. Early Medieval Church Celts & Germans adopt Christianity into their traditions Monasticism (page 220) Saint Benedict (480-543 AD)

Be familiar with the Rule of St. Benedict

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mona/hd_mona.htm

Monasticism in Medieval Christianity (Art) Link

Monastic Culture

“high” church people are educated

Withdrawal from general society

1. prayer

2. study (Monasticism)

3. Benedictine Monks Chastity Poverty – deny luxuries Missionary work Clothing changes – robes Establish monasteries (same time period as splits between East/West Church)

C. Frankish Kingdom and Unification of West

Clovis (482-511AD)

warrior German chieftan founded 1st Frankish Dynasty (Merovingian) Roman province of Gaul into France

Merovingian Dynasty (Clovis’ line)

1. Constant struggle between “one” and “many”

a. Kings (Clovis’ sons) = centralized government

b. Local rulers fought for regional autonomy

2. Held together through Pacts

3. Created new officials – “Count”

4. By 7th century “Mayor of Palace” held real authority

Carolingian Dynasty

Charles the Great or “Charlemagne” (768-814 AD)

Son of Pepin the Short

Accomplishments:

1. finishes conquering Italy Lombards and assumes crown

2. devoted life to kingdom expansion

3. Pope Leo III crowns him Emperor ***

Pontificus Maximus

*** symbolizes fusion of Roman, Christian and Germanic elements that form the basis of European Civilization

The coronation of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III, as depicted in a medieval French manuscript © Scala/Art Resource, NY

4. Imperial “Look”a. Festive courtsb. “counts”

5. King’s Palace Schoola. Latin in official documentsb. New and legible style of handwriting (standardize)

6. Carolingian Manora. Chief ECONOMIC institution (communal farm)

1. medieval farms in clustered villages2. status of peasants determined by nature of holdings

(Serfs)

7. Military = Knightsnobility

8. Creation of new Agriculture and methodscrop rotation and plow

Church of Charlamagne

The Manor

Break up of Carolingian Kingdom

After Charlamagne’s death his 3 sons take over …

843 AD – Treaty divided the kingdom

Creates a Vacuum in Europe that Church tries to fill

Plummets into Dark Ages ….

D. Vikings, Muslims & Magyars

After Charlemagne a new set of invaders Norsemen (Vikings) (see text pages 224-225) Muslims (Saracens) (see text page 226) Magyars (see text page 226)

918 AD Henry I (Duke of Saxon)

consolidates Bavaria, Saxony, Francia and Lothargina

Otto I “The Great” (936 – 973 AD)

(son of Henry I) invades Italy and proclaims self King Otto defeats Hungarians secured German borders and established western frontiers

of Europe*** appointed bishops and abbots to administer lands Pope John bestows Imperial Title on Otto

IV. Europe’s Warrior Nobility

Feudal Society Evolves out of Survival

Vassals

chief obligation was military

1. ransom lord from enemy

2. outfit for major military campaigns

3. defray costs of festivities at marriages…

Lord

1. protect vassal from physical harm

2. stand as advocate in courts

3. provide maintenance by giving fief

Vocabulary:

Vassal

Lord

Serf

Knight