Byzantium and European Middle Ages Review Ch. 16 & 19

The Germanic Successor States Last Roman emperor deposed by Germanic Odoacer, 476 C.E. Administrative apparatus still in place, but cities lose population Germanic successor states: – Visigoths – Ostrogoths – Lombards – Franks

Germanic Invasions 450 – 476 C.E.

Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000 High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250 Late Middle Ages: Periodization

Two parts of the Roman Empire: Germanic invaders & the Byzantine Empire

The Early Byzantine Empire Capital: Byzantium Commercial, strategic value of location Constantine names capital after himself (Constantinople), moves capital there after 330 C.E.

Emperor Justinian ( C.E.) Wife Theodora as advisor – Background: “circus performer” Ambitious construction programs – The church of Hagia Sophia Justinian’s code: codification of Roman law Caesaropapism Power centralized in figure of emperor: claimed divine favor as absolute ruler of both the political and ecclesiastical dominions.

Hagia Sophia (now the Ayasofya Müzesi)

Theme System Civil (government) administration of provinces under control of military generals Soldiers from peasant class, rewarded with land grants

Muslim Conquests Arab Muslim besieged Byzantium C.E. & C.E. Defense made possible through use of “Greek fire” Constantinople eventually fell to Muslims in 1453 and was renamed Istanbul The Muslim empire was also spreading, mostly across North Africa, but also into Spain.

Expansion of Islam 632 – 733 C.E.

The Carolingian Empire In 486, Clovis, King of the Franks conquered the former province of Gaul, which later became known as the kingdom of France.

The Carolingian Empire When Muslim armies moved into France, Charles Martel rallied Christian troops and defeated them at the Battle of Tours in 732. Muslims advanced no further into Western Europe, but continued to occupy what is now Spain.

The Early Middle Ages In 786, the grandson of Martel became king of the Franks – his name was Charlemagne. Charlemagne helped Pope Leo III by arresting some rebels, so the Pope crowned him Emperor of the Romans

The Carolingian Empire Charlemagne appointed powerful nobles (counts) to rule local areas. Sent out missi dominici to stay in touch. After Charlemagne died, his grandsons battled each other for power. In 843 they split the kingdom into three regions and called for peace with the Treaty of Verdun.

Charlemagne’s Empire Collapses Treaty of Verdun, 843

Invasions South: Muslims East: Magyars North: Vikings – Norse expansion driven by population pressure, quest for wealth – Superior seafaring technology

The Vikings From village of Vik, Norway (hence “Viking”) Boats with shallow drafts, capable of river travel as well as on open seas Attacked villages, cities, monasteries from ninth century

St. Benedict – Benedictine Rule of poverty, chastity, and obedience.  provided schools for the children of the upper class.  Social services to local people  inns, hospitals, refuge in times of war.  libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminated manuscripts.  monks  missionaries to the barbarians. [St. Patrick, St. Boniface] Monasticism

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.

Economy in Medieval Christendom Byzantium – economic powerhouse – Agricultural surplus – Long-distance trade Western Christendom – Repeated invasions contribute to agricultural decline – Tenth century, increased political stability leads to economic recovery

The Holy Roman Empire Otto I of Saxony takes advantage of decline of Carolingian empire to establish kingdom in north Germany, mid-tenth century C.E. Twice enters Italy to aid Roman Catholic church so Pope John XII names Otto emperor of Holy Roman Empire, 962 C.E.

Growth of the Agricultural Economy Increasing development of arable lands Improved agricultural techniques – Crop rotation: three field system – New crops, especially beans – Iron-tipped heavy plows – Horseshoes, horse collars (horses faster than oxen) Enormous population growth as a result

Social Change The Three Estates – Those who pray: clergy – Those who fight: nobles & knights – Those who work: peasants Additions to class of “those who work” – Merchants, artisans, physicians, lawyers, etc. Reflects increasing division of economic inequity

Guilds Organizations of merchants, workers, artisans By thirteenth century, guilds control good portion of urban economy – Regulated the sale and production of goods in their jurisdiction – Created social support network

The Reconquista of Sicily and Spain Sicily taken by Muslims in ninth century, reconquered by Normans in eleventh century – Slow displacement of Islam – Opportunity for cross-cultural fertilization Reconquest of Spain called the Reconquista Christian forces drive the Muslims out 1060’s – 1150 Last outpost, Granada in 1492

The Beginning of the Crusades Pope Urban II calls for liberation of Jerusalem from Muslim control, 1095 First crusade ( ) successfully liberates Jerusalem Five crusades by mid-thirteenth century, none successful Fourth crusade destroys Constantinople, Yet Crusades provide direct contact with world trade and Muslim ideologies – Aristotle, “Arabic” numerals, paper production