The Early Middle Ages

1
The Early Middle Ages

• 7.1

2
Western Europe in Decline

• The Roman Empire included much of Western Europe.
  After Romes fall, Western Europe began to
  decline socially, economically, and politically.
• The period from 500 A.D.-1000 A.D. is referred to
  as the Dark Ages.
• Greco-Roman, Germanic, and Christian traditions
  began to blend. This assimilation created
  medieval civilization.

3
The Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms

• Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals,
  Saxons, and Franks conquered parts of the Roman
  Empire from 400 A.D.-700 A.D.
• They were mainly farmers and herders.
• Lived in small communities and governed
  themselves with unwritten laws.
• Kings were elected by tribal councils.
• Warriors swore loyalty to the king in exchange
  for weapons and a share of the loot from raids .

4

• Clovis King of the Franks
• In 486 A.D. Clovis conquered Gaul(France).
• He ruled with Frankish customs, but preserved
  some Roman practices.
• He converted to Christianity and won the support
  of the Pope in Rome.
• Muslims Threaten Europe
• Islam began in Arabia during the 600s.
• Christian leaders became worried about the spread
  of Islam from Palestine, to North Africa, and
  into Spain.
• Charles Martel led the Christian Franks to
  victory against invading Muslims in the Battle of
  Tours.

5
Charlemagne

• In 768 A.D., the grandson of Charles Martel
  became king of the Franks.
• His empire included France, Germany, and part of
  Italy
• He took the name Charlemagne which means Charles
  the Great.
• Most of his 46 years in power were spent
  repelling invaders and uniting the former Roman
  Empire.

6
Charlemagne and His Empire
7
Charlemagne

• In 799 A.D., Pope Leo III asked Charlemagne to
  defeat rebellious nobles in Rome.
• Charlemagne defeated the nobles and was crowned
  Emperor of Rome. This act created a united
  Christian community in Europe. It also set the
  stage for disagreements between future German
  kings and popes.
• The leader of the eastern Roman Empire was
  outraged resulting in a bigger split between
  Christianity in the east and west.

8
Pope Leo III Crowning Charlemagne Emperor of Rome
9
Charlemagne

• Nobles were chosen to serve as local leaders.
• Education was viewed by Charlemagne as a way to
  further unify his kingdom. He reestablished Latin
  learning and encouraged the creation of local
  schools.
• Following his death in 814 A.D., Charlemagnes
  sons fought one another for power.
• In 843 ,Charlemagnes grandsons created the
  Treaty of Verdun which split the empire into 3
  parts.

10
Invasion

• In the late 700s the Vikings from Scandinavia
  began to invade coastal towns in Europe.
• Skilled sailors and explorers.
• Settled with local peoples in England, northern
  France, Ireland, and parts of Russia.
• Around 900 A.D. the Magyars settled in present
  day Hungary.
• They overran Germany, France , and Italy, but
  were pushed back.