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Journal Entry
3 May 2012
IN AT LEAST 4 SENTENCES, WRITE ABOUT
WHAT YOU KNOW OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
Introduction
When Were the Middle Ages?
 The time period between ancient and modern times is
known as the Middle Ages, or medieval times. The
middle ages began when the Roman Empire fell.
By 395, the Empire was too large to be ruled by only one
man. It was split into two parts. One emperor ruled
from Constantinople. The other emperor ruled from
Rome. In 410 the Goths swept into Rome . They
vandalized and terrorized the city. In 455 the Vandals
arrived with the same intention and burned Rome as
well.
 Historians generally say the Middle Ages occurred
from 400s-1500s.
Characteristics of the Middle Ages
 The barbarian tribes did not foster advances in art,
literature, architecture and government as the
Romans had. Once the Romans were conquered
they began to follow the customs of the barbaric
tribes who had settled in Rome. This combining of
two lifestyles changed the way both groups viewed
life and their customs.
 Religion was one of the most important influences in
the middle ages. All things existed for the glory of
God. The government of Rome disappeared. It was
replaced by thousands of small, regional
governments wherein the local lord was in charge
and held all the power. This new system is known as
feudalism.
Europe Split in 2: East and West
 Eastern Empire= Byzantine Empire
 Justinian was emperor and conquered lands
in Italy, Africa, and Spain
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Began rebuilding the capital
Uniform code of law based on Roman law
 Western Europe- divided into kingdoms with
kings ruling.
The Church Divides
 Division of the empire affected the Christian
church
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Caused by different cultural practices, limited contact between areas
In east, emperor had control over head of church
In west, the lack of an emperor gave pope more
responsibilities
Western pope claimed control over churches in both east
and west
Eastern church rejected authority of pope
Christian church splits in 1054
Roman Catholic Church in west and Eastern Orthodox
Church in east
 Split led to 2 separate European civilizations

The Role of the Christian church in Medieval
Europe
 Pope claimed authority over Christian
emperors and kings
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Roman Catholic Church influenced government in the west
Disagreements between church and kings later caused
conflicts
 Byzantine emperor was absolute ruler
 Had power over spiritual head of Eastern Orthodox Church
 Overall, had greater power than rulers in the west
Q: How did governments of the Christian churches interact?
Before We Focus on the Western Empire, Let’s
Talk about What eventually happens in the East…
The Byzantine Empire Collapses
 Constantinople Falls

New Arabian religion of Islam began in 600s
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Muslim armies attacked Constantinople
Civil wars, attacks by Ottoman Turks, Serbs hurt Byzantine
Empire
Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in 1453

Ended the Byzantine Empire
 Islam spreads throughout much of Eastern Europe!