1. What do you think happened to the Roman Empire?

2. Early Empire
Following the 4th period of expansion came the Early Empire ( A.C.E.)
This period was a time of prosperity, internal peace, and high levels of trade
Christianity was created during this time
At first, the empire saw the new religion as a threat

3. Late Empire
Next came the Late Roman Empire
During this time, Constantine became the
first Christian emperor
Following him, Theodosius the Great made Christianity the empire’s official religion
Due to the large size of the empire, it was split in half: East and West
The Western Empire kept the capital of Rome
The Eastern Empire changed it’s capital to Byzantium which later became Constantinople

4. The Fall of the Roman Empire
The Western Empire fell to several different Germanic tribes including the Visigoths but the East lives on as the Byzantine Empire
The Western Empire was replaced by a number of states ruled by German kings

5. European Kingdoms and Feudalism
What do you think the term ‘feudalism’ means?

6. The Church
The church gained power when the Roman Empire fell
In the Catholic church, the Bishop of Rome claimed to be the leader, or the Pope
Pope comes from the Latin word papa, or “father”

7. Charlemagne
Charlemagne, a Germanic king, expands his kingdom to create the Carolingian Empire once called the “Kingdom of Europe”
He was the first Germanic king crowned the king of the “Roman Empire”
When this kingdom fell apart, it led to a need for local protection which created Feudalism

8. Feudalism
King
Lord
Knight
Vassal

9. England
In 606 William of Normandy conquered England and became King
Monarchy- a form of government where all the power is an individual ruler, monarch or king/queen
The King became too powerful so King John created the Magna Carta
Monarch’s power was limited, not absolute
English parliament also emerged
Dealt with taxes, politics, and passed laws
Representatives from all over the land

10. Holy Roman Empire Hence the name “Holy Roman Empire”
Germanic King, Otto I, crowned emperor of the Romans in 962
The empire tried to rule German and Italy because Italy was the center of the “Holy Empire”
Hence the name “Holy Roman Empire”
But, the empire lost power in Germany while trying to rule Italy and then lost all power

11. Byzantine Empire and Crusades
What were the Crusades? What were they fighting for? Do you know any movies that talk about the Crusades?

12. Byzantine Empire Byzantine Empire lasted until 1453
It was a Christian and Greek state
Spoke Greek; Religion was Christianity
Created the Eastern Orthodox Church
The empire had many threats from abroad including trouble with Muslim empires

13. Crusades
The Byzantine Empire wanted to take back Jerusalem and the “Holy Land” (Palestine)
Went on crusades to attempt to conquer this land
Only the 1st crusade worked, it went downhill from there
The crusades resulted in increased trade, a weakening of feudalism, and a strengthening of the King’s power
From this time three nation-states arose: Spain, England, and France