So…what happened after Rome?

1. So…what happened after Rome? The Germanic Kingdoms and Charlemagne

2. One word…chaos. • When Odoacer deposed the last Roman Emperor and declared himself one it wasn’t immediate that world falls apart. • His successor, the Ostrogoth Theodoric, fought regularly with the Byzantines • Roman bureaucracy stays somewhat intact, but people flock away from the cities (no bread, poor sanitation, fear of attack) • By the late 5th century a series of Germanic kingdoms were set up.

3. Roman Influence • Germanic kingdoms used much of Roman law and adapted it. • Converted to Christianity, although mostly Arian Christianity, which was outlawed by the Pope. • Began to see centralizing of authority as ok, but only at a micro-level

4. Social Changes • Christianity becomes the sole unifying force, but only after major conflicts over the “proper” type of the faith • Peasants begin moving back to rural areas and farm in exchange for protection by local lords and counts – serf class develops by 7th century • The counts hired mercenaries, called initially retainers, and paid them in land / grain from mill / profits from war. • Slowly retainers become the local administrators of justice and order. Develop into a noble class that lived off of surplus agriculture. • Manor system - lord and deputies = gov’t • Local trade and fairs only.

5. Growth of Christianity • Papal Power Expands Under Gregory I • In 590, Gregory I, also called Gregory the Great, becomes pope • Under Gregory, Church becomes secular—a political power • Pope’s palace becomes center of Roman government • Uses Church money to raise armies, care for poor, negotiate treaties • Establishes a Christendom—churchly kingdom fanning out from Rome

6. The Franks • Northern French • First began organizing around 300 AD, but didn’t fully get a strong leader till late 400’s. • Mythological story connected them to Troy • Clovis I, an old Roman soldier, becomes first unifying leader in 509 • Started Merovingian Line of kings • Conquered modern Gaul • Converted to Papal Christianity – not Arian (Council of Orleans unified Franks/Church)

7. Post Clovis • Frankish kingdoms divided into four kingdoms in 511 AD which leads to more conflict and weakening • Reunified in 613 but never with same strength • By 751 it was recognized that the “mayor” or main advisor was running the country and the Pope gave a blessing for him to be the ruler…

8. Carolingian Empire • Named after Charles Martel – victor at the Battle of Tours • Martel never actually was king – didn’t want to be • Empire was formed over time – each leader in the dynasty changed it. • Pepin the Short (III) took over in 752 as ruler of the Franks • Between 737-752 co-ruled with brother Carloman. • Pepin was given a Papal Bull declaring him ruler which allowed him to take official title. • In exchange he attacked Lombards to get them out of Papal lands. • Died in Battle in 768

9. Charlemagne • Unified Western Europe by 800 AD – first time since 476. • Tall – maybe 6’4” which would make him a giant at that time • May have had looks embellished • Not very educated but spoke Latin and Greek • Fierce warrior – understood that power flowed from military conflict at the time

10. Conquests • Charlemagne reconquers larges • Attacks Lombards in Italy over territory dispute in 772 – destroys them • Had campaigns against the Saxons, Slavs, Bavarians, Moors, Vasconia and the Pyrenees with mixed success.

11. Crowning by Pope • By 795 Pope Adrian, who had requested Charlemagne take back papal land from Lombards, was gone. • Pope Leo III wanted to centralize more power but his cruel ideals led to revolt • Hated it but asked Charlemagne to bail him out and put down revolts in 800 • That year crowned him Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day

12. Administrative Reforms • Charlemagne's reign saw the standardization of monasticism, worship, music, and education in the church. • Re-established uniform coinage, weights and measures, and judicial systems. • Relied heavily on local counts and royal agents to run day to day operations of society – model for rest of Middle Ages. • Emphasized education for the upper classes and forces monasteries to open schools and begin the preservation of knowledge - important

13. Monasteries • Backbone of culture • Education revived in limited forms • Acquired land and serfs to run it • Cleared forests and swamps to expand cultivation • Encouraged use of iron plows and new techniques in farming. • Medical treatment

14. CHRISTIAN ART OF ROMANESQUE PERIOD • Romanesque means “Roman like” • Interest in monumental architecture • Massive stone arches and masonry walls support more weight than previously to yield larger, interior space • Result: • More massive pressure on side walls • Lack of windows so more wall space exists to hold up structure • Light sacrificed so images transferred to outside in stone relief. • Typically uses round arches

15. Like Rome? YES NO Empire did not last beyond his lifetime. Too Christian and too much focus on Monastic reform Great trading networks never really returned. Aristocratic in nature – never even a hint of republican government Empire was 1/8th the size of Rome at its height • Centralized authority like Romans • Artistic revival (just a religious one) • Uniformity in administration • Large well disciplined army that was constantly expanding empire. • Crowned as H.R.E. • Feudalism somewhat like Latfunidas