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Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms The end of the Roman Empire (476 AD); the end of classical antiquity The Middle Ages or medieval period (500 – 1500 AD) The Renaissance and the beginning of modern history Roots of the Middle Ages • The classical heritage of Rome • The beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church • The customs of various Germanic tribes Invasions of Western Europe • Repeated invasions and constant warfare in the western half of the Roman Empire led to major changes: – Breakdown of trade – Downfall of cities; population becomes mostly rural – Decline of learning – Loss of a common language; Latin no longer part of everyday speech; new languages evolved Germanic Kingdoms Emerge • 400 – 600 AD, small Germanic kingdoms replaced provinces of the Roman Empire • Government changed from the public government and written laws of Rome to the family ties and personal loyalties of Germanic society – No orderly government for large territories Clovis Rules the Franks • Franks held power in what is present-day France – Led by Clovis – Converted to Christianity – United all Franks into one kingdom Germans Adopt Christianity • By 600, many Germanic people converted to Christianity • Church built monasteries, religious communities where monks and nuns lived – Monks opened schools, maintained libraries, and copied books, partially preserving the learning of Rome. • Pope Gregory expanded power of the papacy (Pope’s office) – Church became a secular (worldly) power involved in politics Illuminated manuscripts, made by monks, were copies of religious writings decorated with ornate letters and brilliant pictures. An Empire Evolves • Europe was made up many small kingdoms, of which the Franks were the largest and strongest • Charles Martel led Franks in early 700s, expanded their territory and defeating Muslim raiders at the Battle of Tours in 732 – Became a Christian hero • His son began the Carolingian Dynasty which ruled until 987. Charlemagne Becomes Emperor • Martel’s grandson, Charlemagne, built the Frankish empire into the largest empire since Rome – Spread Christianity – Reunited western Europe – Pope made him “emperor” Charlemagne Leads a Revival • Charlemagne strengthened his power by limiting the power of nobles • Encouraged education by ordering monasteries to open schools to train future monks and priests • After his death, Charlemagne’s sons divided the Empire into three kingdoms – Led to breakdown of strong, central government – Resulted in a new system called feudalism