Early Middle Ages

Europe after the fall of Rome The gradual decline of the Roman Empire ushered in an era of European history called “The Middle Ages” The gradual decline of the Roman Empire ushered in an era of European history called “The Middle Ages” The early Middle Ages ( ) was the darkest period of Europe’s history: Europe was barbaric and primitive compared to the flourishing Byzantine and Islamic Empires of the time The early Middle Ages ( ) was the darkest period of Europe’s history: Europe was barbaric and primitive compared to the flourishing Byzantine and Islamic Empires of the time

Three big changes 1. Decline of cities: When the Roman Empire fell, their cities were abandoned. 2. Disruption of trade: Businesses collapsed with no trade => cities and economic centers stagnated => currency disappeared 3. Population shifts: Nobles retreated to rural areas and the cities were left with no strong leaders => return to agriculturally-based society

Germanic Tribes Germanic kingdoms replaced Roman provinces, with only the Church remaining constant Germanic kingdoms replaced Roman provinces, with only the Church remaining constant –Germanic people lived in small communities, governed by unwritten rules and traditions, and led by a tribal chief –Stress was on personal ties and loyalty to the clan, not citizenship in a large state with loyalty to a distant emperor

The Germanic conquerors did not read or write, so literacy rates fell. The Germanic conquerors did not read or write, so literacy rates fell. Eventually, very few people could read or write except for priests and other church officials. Eventually, very few people could read or write except for priests and other church officials.

Loss of a common language With a mix of German and Latin speakers, Latin began to change (dialects developed) and was no longer understood from region to region With a mix of German and Latin speakers, Latin began to change (dialects developed) and was no longer understood from region to region By 800, French, Spanish, Italian, and other Latin-based languages evolved By 800, French, Spanish, Italian, and other Latin-based languages evolved

The Influence of the Church Missionaries succeeded in converting many Germanic peoples to Christianity and introducing the Latin alphabet. Missionaries succeeded in converting many Germanic peoples to Christianity and introducing the Latin alphabet. In rural communities, the church built religious communities called monasteries. In rural communities, the church built religious communities called monasteries. In monasteries, monks gave up all their private possessions and became servants to God. In monasteries, monks gave up all their private possessions and became servants to God.

Likewise, women began to live in communities called convents and became nuns. Likewise, women began to live in communities called convents and became nuns. Monasteries and convents were the best educated communities in Europe. Monasteries and convents were the best educated communities in Europe. Monks opened schools, maintained libraries, and copied books. Monks opened schools, maintained libraries, and copied books. They are given credit for helping to preserve Greco-Roman cultural achievements. They are given credit for helping to preserve Greco-Roman cultural achievements.

Pope Gregory I ( ) Also known as St. Gregory the Great Also known as St. Gregory the Great Main goal: Make the Roman Catholic Church equal in prestige and power to the Eastern Orthodox Church Main goal: Make the Roman Catholic Church equal in prestige and power to the Eastern Orthodox Church Expanded the power and role of the Papacy (Pope) so that it also had secular political power Expanded the power and role of the Papacy (Pope) so that it also had secular political power Reinstated Pope’s control of bishops, priests, and monks Reinstated Pope’s control of bishops, priests, and monks

Created a Latin liturgy in the vernacular (common form of a language) Created a Latin liturgy in the vernacular (common form of a language) Developed “plainsong” that became known as Gregorian chant Developed “plainsong” that became known as Gregorian chant Was a Benedictine monk before becoming Pope, and used the order to convert England to Christianity Was a Benedictine monk before becoming Pope, and used the order to convert England to Christianity

Political power of Gregory I Acted as mayor of Rome => the Papal palace became the center of the Roman government Acted as mayor of Rome => the Papal palace became the center of the Roman government Negotiated peace treaties Negotiated peace treaties Used the Church’s money to raise an army and repair roads, as well as to help the poor. Used the Church’s money to raise an army and repair roads, as well as to help the poor.