1. Emerging Europe and the Byzantine Empire

2. Transforming the Roman World
Germanic kingdoms controlled Europe after fall of Rome
500 AD Europe divided into many Germanic kingdoms, built on Roman traditions
Europe- trade slowed, learning virtually ceased, violent and lawless
Political, social, economic division
Roman, Germanic, Christian traditions blended created new civilization

3. Germanic Society Germanic Tribes Mostly farmers, herders
Europe 500 AD
Germanic Tribes
Mostly farmers, herders
No written laws, governed by customs
Kings elected, warriors swear loyalty to king in exchange for weapons, plunder
Crucial social bond- family (worked land together, provided protection)

4. Germanic Society Germanic law was personal, lead to many feuds Wergild
developed to avoid feuds
It was the amount paid to the family of a person that had been injured or killed
Fines based on social status
Guilt determined by ordeal (physical trial)

5. Role of the Church 4th century church developed system of organization
Parishes ruled by bishops
Bishop under direction of archbishop
Over time Bishop of Rome becomes head of church- pope
First strong pope Gregory I ( )

6. Role of the Church Church center of life
Church largest public building
Life revolved around Christian holy days
Tithe paid to support church and local priest
Non-members seen as suspicious
Priest most educated person in many areas, moral guide, ran schools, treated sick

7. Gregory I Strengthened power of papacy
Political Power- ruler of Rome and surrounding territory (Papal States)
Converted many non- Christians, started monastic movement

8. Power of the Papacy Supreme authority Pope raised armies
Many clergy served in governments across Europe
Church had laws (cannon of laws) and own courts
Break laws led to excommunication (individuals) or interdiction (towns, kingdoms)
Church used power to end warfare at times

9. Monastic Movement
Monks- isolated spiritual life, total dedication to God
6th century St. Benedict writes rules for monks
Life of prayer and manual labor
Communal life, monasteries self-sustaining
Ruled by an abbot

10. Monastic Life Monks and Monasteries roles
social workers, hospitals, centers of learning
Ideal Christian life
Moral example to others
Some monasteries owned large amounts of land, people left land and wealth to the church
By 1050 most of Western Europe Catholic

11. Monastic Life Monastic life provided opportunities for women (nuns)
Many German nuns were well educated
Hildegard of Bingen , composed religious music, popes and rulers sought her advice
Later Middle Ages women had rights restricted by Church

12. Jews in Europe Communities existed across Europe
Muslim Spain center of Jewish culture
Other European kingdoms accepted Jews, taxed them heavily
1000 Jews viewed as suspicious by Christians, blamed for disasters
Church passed laws curbed Jewish rights
Many fled to Eastern Europe

13. The Franks Late 5th century Clovis conquers most of Gaul (France)
Converts to Christianity 500 AD
Powerful ally of Catholic Church
Franks most powerful European kingdom
732 Charles Martel defeats Muslims (Battle of Tours)
Kept the Muslim armies from advancing any farther north in Europe
768 his grandson becomes king, Charlemagne

14. Charlemagne and Carolingian Empire
Strong ruler, warrior, statesman, devout Catholic
Expanded empire
United most of Western Europe
Nobles and Counts acted a local political authorities the were the king’s representatives
Missi Dominici- two men sent to districts to check on local rulers

15. Charlemagne and Carolingian Empire
800 A.D. pope made Charlemagne emperor of Romans
Symbolized endurance of Rome
Unified Germanic, Roman, Christian traditions

16. Charlemagne and Carolingian Empire
Promoted learning- educated clergy, literate officials for government
Monasteries central to preservation of Greco- Roman knowledge
Copied Bibles, other classical Roman and Greek texts in scriptoria