1. Middle Ages Introduction
Ca. 500 – 1000 C.E.

2. 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

3. Germanic Invasions 450 – 476 C.E.

4. Medieval Christendom Two halves of what used to be the Roman Empire
Byzantine empire
Germanic states
Inherited Christianity from Roman empire
After eighth century, tensions between two halves

5. Successor States to the Roman Empire, ca. 600 C.E.

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

7. Justinian (527-565 C.E.) The “sleepless emperor”
Wife Theodora as advisor
Background: “circus performer”
Ambitious construction programs
The church of Hagia Sophia
Justinian’s code: codification of Roman law

8. Hagia Sophia (now the Ayasofya Müzesi)

9. Caesaropapism Power centralized in figure of emperor
Christian leader cannot claim divinity, rather divine authority
Political rule
Involved in religious rule as well
Authority absolute

10. Muslim Conquests Seventh century, Arab Muslim expansion
Besieged Byzantium ,
Defense made possible through use of “Greek fire”
Constantinople eventually fell to Muslims in 1453 and was renamed Istanbul

11. Expansion of Islam 632 – 733 C.E.

12. 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.
Clovis converted to Christianity, which was the religion of most people in Gaul.
This also gave him an ally in the pope, the leader of the Christian Church in Rome.

13. Clovis, King of the Franks
The Early Middle Ages
According to the Chronicle of St. Denis, “He looked up to heaven humbly, and spoke thus, ‘Most mighty God, whom my queen Clothilde worships and adores with heart and soul, I pledge Thee perpetual service unto Thy faith, if only Thou givest me now the victory over mine enemies.’ Instantly his men were filled with burning valor, and a great fear smote his enemies, so that they turned the back and fled.”
Clovis, King of the Franks

14. The Carolingian Empire
The Muslim empire was also spreading, mostly across North Africa, but also into Europe.
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.

15. 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
How do you think the eastern Roman Empire felt about this?

16. The Carolingian Empire
Charlemagne continued to work with the church to unify Europe.
Appointed powerful nobles 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.

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

19. 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
Constantinople sacked three times
Carolingians had no navy, dependent on local defenses

20. 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