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Transcript
The Foundations of Medieval Civilization Social Studies 08 Sutherland Secondary The German Kingdoms The fall of Rome meant the end of the ancient world and the beginning of a new era. Historians call this period, which lasted until about 1450, the Middle Ages, or the Medieval Period. Some have called the early part of this period the "Dark Age s" because few of the writings of that time have survived. Historians do know, however, that important changes took place in Europe. The invaders, called "barbarians" by the Romans, mostly came from lands to the north of the Roman Empire called Germany . These invaders set up new kingdoms. One Germanic group called themselves the Franks, which means "the bold". The German Kingdoms The Merovingians In 481CE, a 15- yearold warrior, Clovis, became king of the Franks. For 30 years he led them in wars that widened the boundaries of the Frank's kingdom. Eventually, it included most of what are now France and Germany. The Frankish Kingdom The Baptism of Clovis Clovis also encouraged the Franks to believe in Christianity. After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Christian church in Rome continued traditions of the earlier times such as using Latin and making its center in Rome. Clovis and the Christian Church The church supported Clovis in order to promote the Roman Catholic vision of Christianity in the area ruled by the Franks. Once Clovis had been baptized, the leaders of the church encouraged him to spread Christianity. "Every battle you fight is a victory for us," a bishop wrote to Clovis. Islamic Expansion Stopped The Battle of Tours October 10, 732 AD marks the conclusion of the Battle of Tours, arguably one of the most decisive battles in all of history. A Muslim army, in a crusading search for land and the end of Christianity, after the conquest of Syria, Egypt, and North Africa, began to invade Western Europe under the leadership of Abd-er Rahman, governor of Spain. Abd-er Rahman led an infantry of 60,000 to 400,000 soldiers across the Western Pyrenees and toward the Loire River, but they were met just outside the city of Tours by Charles Martel, known as the Hammer, and the Frankish Army. Not only did this prove to be a decisive battle for the Christians, but the Battle of Tours is considered the high water mark of the Muslim invasion of Western Europe. Islamic Expansion Charlemagne Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768CE. He became more than King, he was the emperor of the former Western Roman Empire. Charlemagne looked like a warrior. Charlemagne's rule began in 768 and lasted 48 years of almost constant warfare. Charlemagne - the warrior Charlemagne fought the Lombards in Italy, the Saxons in the north, the Avars and Slavs to the east, and others. During his reign he fought a total of 60 wars. Charlemagne made his defeated opponents accept the Roman church and swear loyalty to him as their new ruler. The Emperor Crowned In 800, Charlemagne marched into Italy to help the leader of the Christian church in Rome, Pope Leo III, stop a rebellion there. Pope Leo knew that he would need Charlemagne's protection and support. When Charlemagne rose from kneeling at the altar on Christmas day, the Pope surprised him. He placed a crown on Charlemagne's head and declared him emperor.