Download The Romans

Unit #1 – Early Middle Ages
Test Review Presentation
The Romans
• Followed the Greek attitudes in learning and made them their own.
• Developed advanced systems in regards to irrigation, travel, and military
• The Roman Legions were so powerful that at their peak they controlled most of
Europe, southeast Asia, and North Africa.
• Latin became the language of dominance, and Roman Law applied to everyone,
allowing trade to expand
– Roman Law: Law became more universal and was documented
• The Mediterranean was under Greek rule for 6 centuries.
Roman Roads & Aqueducts
• The keys to any society’s survival is the introduction of new
technologies and their constant evolution.
• In the case of Rome, the constant expansion and survival of
the Roman Empire was the result of two instrumental
developments:
– Roman Road systems
– Aqueduct system
Islam
• Muslims, the followers of Islam, formed their belief around
the teachings of Mohammed.
• Mohammed’s teachings are found in the Muslim holy book
Qur’an
• Islam rapidly spread into Asia, Africa, an finally Europe by
711 CE
Christianity
• Founded in Palestine by apostles.
• Christianity is based around the teachings of Jesus Christ
– Taught that the two greatest commandments were to love God and love your
neighbour as yourself.
• Made people seem as equals not as different levels of society/status
• Romans (before end of empire) were scared of Christianity due to
fear of uprising.
– They killed Jesus. Raised from the dead…
• New religion spread quickly through trade routes
Judaism
• Moses received the 10 Commandments from God, was part
of the Torah
• Torah was the most important book of the Jewish Holy
Books
– Guide for life and belief
The Franks
• Because it was a Kingdom, the Franks were ruled by royal
families, the most famous Frank family was the Merovingians.
• The Merovingians ruled for close to 300 years and the most
successful ruler was Clovis I (481-511 A.D.)
• After the death of Clovis, the Merovingian Kingdom fell apart
due to constant infighting or violent bickering between Clovis’
heirs.
The Franks & their rules
• The Franks were a violent people, but they had laws to govern themselves. Their law
was called the Salic Code.
• The Salic Code included slaves, wives and children as property.
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Theft of a slave = 120-150 lashes
Arson = slavery in mines, banishment, or death
Theft = fine, torture or death
Break a betrothal = 65 gold solidi
Touch woman’s hand = 15 gold solidi
Cutting hair of free boy/girl = 45 gold solidi
Grave robbing = 200 gold solidi
Man money (Person’s worth)
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Free woman of childbearing age = 600
Pregnant woman = 700
Boy under 12 = 600
Girl under 12 = 200
Before we go any further, where are we?
• Who took over Europe following Alex the Great?
– Romans
• Who was the first leader of note in Rome?
– Caesar
• What happened to him?
– Assassinated
• What made Rome so great?
– Architecture (Roads, Aqueducts, Baths, Coliseum) Laws, Legions, Tradition, & Legacy
• What made Rome not-so-great?
– Greed & corruption
Where we are part 2…
• Who were the people who were responsible for the “sacking” of Rome?
– Barbarians
• Following the fall of Rome, what was the ‘era’ known as and why?
– Dark Ages, people fell into a more less structured, primitive state
• What was responsible for the re-shaping of Europe?
– Spread of Religion
• What Religions & why?
– Judaism, Christianity, & Islam; because they all followed similar principal & belief in a similar God.
• Who were the most notable, and successful of these Barbarians?
– The Franks
• Who led the Franks (family name), and where did they go?
– Merovingians & into Gaul (France)
Charlemagne
• Governed from modern day Germany, in a place known as
Aachen
– Gave local governments freedom, all the while sent out his agents
to ensure that the people we being treated properly
• Developed a code of laws for the whole empire
– He tried to make things better for the serfs and tradespeople,
unlike anyone else before him
• Developed a more successful education program
– New schools and encouragement of learning
Charlemagne II
• Aside from new schools and higher levels of learning
Charlemagne achieved much more…
– Succeeded in brining a rebirth of learning and the art
– His time has been referred to as the Carolingian Renaissance
• Wasn’t always the “nice, reformed guy”
– Number of Saxon (other Barbarians) we captured, he insisted that
they converted to Christianity – Saxons said no – up to 4000
Saxons executed in one day…
Irish Celts
• The Irish Celts soon developed into the “educated elite” of
Europe
– Previously were more of a lower educated, ruthless group of
people.
– With “refined” religion came change
• Formally studied Druidism (Nature Worship)
• Irish Monks trained Missionaries, spread Christianity, and
other knowledge all over Europe.
Vikings
• The Vikings came to Europe with one goal in mind…
– Looking for “plunder and glory”
• Sent by God as punishment
• The Vikings were a group who terrorized most of coastal
Europe for over 200 years (800-1000 BCE)
• They built a culture of Violence and slavery mixed in with a
structured system of laws and government.