Germanic Kingdoms Unite under Charlemagne

1. Main Idea
1. Many Germanic kingdoms that succeeded the Roman Empire were reunited under Charlemagne's empire
2. Why it matters
1. Charlemagne spread Christian civilization throughout northern Europe, which is where many of use came from
3. Setting the Stage
1. Middle Ages = Medieval period
2. 500-1500 AD
3. Medieval Europe is fragmented

1. Invasions trigger changes in western Europe
1. Invasions and constant warfare spark new trends
1. Disruption of trade
1. Europe cities are no longer economic centers
2. Money is scarce
2. Downfall of cities
1. Cities are no longer centers of administration
3. Population shifts
1. Nobles retreat to the rural areas
2. Cities don't have strong leadership
2. Decline of Learning
1. Germanic invaders are illiterate, but they communicate through oral tradition
2. Only priests and church officials could read and write
3. Knowledge of Greek (and literature, science, philosophy) is almost lost
3. Loss of a common language
1. Dialects develop in different regions
2. By the 800's, French, Spanish, other Roman-based languages are evolving from Latin
2. Germanic kingdoms emerge
1. The concept of government changes
1. Roman society: loyal to public gov't
2. Germanic society: loyal to family
1. Germanic chief led warriors
2. During peace, he provided food, weapons, treasure, a place to live (the lords hall)
3. During wartime, warriors fought for the lord
3. "The king? Who's that? You want to collect taxes from me? Who the heck are you?"
4. Franks live in the Roman province of Gaul- their leader is Clovis
2. The franks under Clovis
1. Another battlefield conversion (Just like Constantine!)
2. Clovis and 3000 of his warriors are baptized by the bishop
3. The church in Rome approves of the "alliance"
4. Clovis and the Church begin to work together
3. Clovis military expertise + the church's support and money = strategic alliances between two powerful forces!
3. Germanic people adopt Christianity
1. (Pope) Gregory I expands papal power
1. Papacy = pope's office
2. Secular power = worldly power
3. So..under Gregory the great….
2. Papal Power (power of the pope) is political power presented from the Pope's palace
3. The church can use money to:
1. Raise armies
2. Repair roads
3. Help the poor
4. Gregory the Great began to act as mayor of Rome, and as head of an earthly kingdom (Christendom)(