Emerging Europe & the Byzantine Empire

Emerging Europe & the Byzantine Empire Chapter 9

Essential Questions • Why was Rome the center of the Christian world at the beginning of the period? • What purpose does a strong central government serve? • How do you think the Magna Carta affected the development of the U.S. government? • What was the purpose of the Crusades?

Transforming the Roman World: The New Germanic Kingdoms • Germanic peoples began moving into Roman territory by the 3rd century • The Visigoths occupied Spain & Italy until the Ostrogoths took control of Italy in the 5th century • Bt 500 A.D. the Western Roman Empire had become a number of states ruled by Germanic Kings • They kept the Roman governmental structure, however Germanic warriors dominated the population • Eventually excluded Romans from holding power

The New Germanic Kingdoms cont… • Germanic Angles & Saxons moved into Britain in the 5th century. Eventually they became the Anglo-Saxons • Only German kingdom to last long was the Franks. • Clovis was the leader of the Frankish Kingdom • Clovis resisted converting to Christianity, but during a battle that was going badly he called on Jesus • He said If you come to my aid I will believe and be baptized. After this plea it is said the enemy fled, Clovis won & converted to Christianity

The New Germanic Kingdom cont… • His conversion won Clovis the support of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome • Clovis empire extended from the Pyrenees to present day western Germany • After he died his sons divided the kingdom among themselves • Germans & Romans intermarried & created a new society where German customs had an important role – the extended family was the center of Germany society • They worked the land together & protected each other in violent times

German Society • The German concept of family affected crime & punishment • In the Roman Empire(and in ours) most crimes were considered offenses against the state, not the person. • A court hears the evidence and makes a judgment • Germanic law was personal. One person injuring another often led to a savage blood feud • They developed a new system to avoid this bloodshed

German Society • New system using a fine was called Wergild: money for man • The wrongdoer paid the injured party’s family a set amount of money which varied by social status • One way of determining guilt in Germanic law was the ordeal • The ordeal was based on the belief that the gods would not let an innocent person be punished. • If the accused was unharmed after a physical trial (ordeal) then he/she was presumed innocent

The Role of the Church: Organization • Christianity had become the supreme religion of the Roman Empire by the end of the 4th century & had developed a system of organization • Priests headed local communities called parishes • A group of parishes was headed by a bishop whose area of authority was called a bishopric or diocese • Bishoprics were joined under the direction of an archbishop • The Bishop of Rome claimed he was the leader of the Roman Catholic Church

Role of the Church: Organization • This claim was based on the belief that Jesus gave Peter the keys to heaven. Peter was considered the first Bishop of Rome • The Bishops that came to succeed him in Rome came to be called Popes – meaning father in Latin • Christians accepted the pope as the Church’s leader but could not agree on the extent of the pope’s power • First pope was Gregory I- he strengthen the power of the papacy • From 590-604 he took control of Rome & its surrounding territories. Converted many non-Christian Germanic people to Christianity

Role of the Church: Monks & Monasteries • Monk: a man who separates himself from worldly, everyday life to dedicate himself entirely to God • Monasticism: is the practice of living the life of a monk • Saint Benedict founded an order of monks in the 6th century & wrote rules for their practice • Rules divided the day into activities: prayer, physical labor, meditation & reading, all monks coming together and praying seven times a day

Role of the Church: Monks & Monasteries • An abbot (father) ruled each monastery & monks obeyed the abbot • Monks took a vow of poverty & dedicated their lives to God. • Monks were social workers & monasteries became centers of learning • Became missionaries spreading the Christian message throughout Europe • This made them the new heroes of Christianity- high moral examples to all • Ladies could become nuns & live in convents headed by abbesses

Questions • How did the Catholic Church affect the new European civilization? • Why were Monks the new Christian heroes?

The Carolingian Empire • In the 6th & 7th centuries, the Frankish kings lost their power to chief officers of the king’s household, called mayor’s of the palace • One of the mayors was Pepin & he assumed the kingship • Pepin’s son was Charles the Great or Charlemagne – one of history’s greatest kings • Charlemagne was curious, driven, intelligent, a strong warrior & a devout Christian • He was unable to write but he strongly supported learning

Charlemagne & the Carolingian • Charlemagne ruled from 768 – 814 and expanded the Frankish empire into much of western and central Europe & called it the Carolingian • Charlemagne’s staff & counts (German nobles) ran the empire locally • To keep the counts in line, Charlemagne established the missi dominici (messengers of the lord) to make sure the king’s wishes were followed • Charlemagne power & prestige grew. In 800 he was crowned Roman Emperor. • The symbolized the coming together of the Roman, Christian & Germanic civilizations.

The Carolingian Renaissance • Charlemagne’s desire to promote learning led to what has been called the Carolingian Renaissance or rebirth. • There was a renewed interest in Latin cultures & the classical works of the Greeks & Romans • Monasteries played a crucial role in this revival of learning • Monks copied Christian & classical Latin manuscripts • Most of the Roman works we have today exist because Carolingian monks copied them

Question • How did Charlemagne attempt to create European unity? • What was a strength of Charlemagne? • Complete questions 4,5 & 6 on page 307.

Feudalism: The End of the Carolingian Empire • After Charlemagne’s death the Carolingian Empire was weakened from division within & by enemy attacks • The empire was divided into 3 kingdoms by Charlemagne's grandsons • Local nobles became more important as people turned to them for protection that the empire could no longer provide

The End of the Carolingian Empire: Invaders • Muslims invaded southern France • Magyars from western Asia settled on the plains of Hungary & invaded western Europe • The Vikings (Norsemen of Scandinavia) invaded Europe & destroyed towns, churches & armies • In 911 Frankish rulers gave the Vikings the land of Normandy & started to convert them to Christianity • As a result of the above the Vikings were soon made a part of European civilization

Development of Feudalism • Because of the invasions people felt unsafe & turned to local nobles to protect them • A powerful lord would protect you and in return you would offer your service • A new political & social order developed between 800 and 900 called Feudalism • Feudalism thrived for 400 hundred years

Feudalism: Knights & Vassals • Vassal: a man who served a lord in a militarily capacity • A lord/King would give the vassal a piece of land in return for his protection. This land was called a fief. • Knights: warriors who were heavily armored cavalry. Knights had great social prestige & formed the backbone of European aristocracy

Feudal Contract • In a feudal society having loyalty to one’s lord was a chief virtue • A public ceremony was held to make the lord/vassal relationship official • To become a vassal a man performed an act of homage to his lord and took an oath • The lord also had responsibilities to the vassal: he also protected his vassal & took his side in any disputes

Feudal Society • Feudalism became complicated. Kings (nobles) had vassals (they could become nobles), who themselves had vassals • When a vassal received land, he became the authority of that land. He could hire a vassal for himself if he chose to and so on… • The number of separate powerful lords and vassals had increased – many different people were now responsible for keeping order

Feudal Society: Nobility & Chivalry • Nobles: Kings, dukes, counts, barons, bishops & archbishops and even knights. They dominated European society • Very wealthy with political. economic & social power • By the 11th & 12th centuries, under the influence of the Church, a more civilized behavior among nobles evolved called Chivalry • Chivalry: Knights were to defend the Church and defenseless people, treat captives as guests & fight for glory not material rewards

Feudal Society: Women • Women could legally hold property but most remained under control of men – fathers & husbands • The lady of the castle had to manage the large household: the estate & financial accounts • Some strong minded women advised and dominated their husbands • Most famous was: Eleanor of Aquitaine

Questions: • Complete questions 2,3 & 5 on page 313

The Reign of Justinian • In 5th century, as German tribes moved into the western part of the Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire continued to exist • Justinian became emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in 527 • He wanted to restore the full Roman Empire & he almost did. He had many conquests • After his death, the Lombards had taken over & conquered much of Italy

Justinian: Body of Civil Law • Codex: A collection of all known ordinances issued by previous emperors. Published in 10 books. • Digest: A selection of the most valuable writings of Roman jurists. Published in 50 books. • Institutes: An elementary law textbook for use by first year law students • Novels: Several collections of new ordinances passed by Justinian himself after the publication of the Codex

Justinian: Body of Civil Law • It was the basis of imperial law until the Eastern Roman Empire ended in 1453 • Also became the basis for much of the legal system of Europe

From Eastern Roman Empire to Byzantine Empire • Justinian’s conquests left the Eastern Roman Empire in serious trouble • Too much territory far away from Constantinople (Eastern Rome’s capital) to protect • Also no money left, decrease in population due to the bubonic plague & renewed threats of takeovers • Islam was the new threat • By beginning of the 8th century, the much reduced Eastern Roman Empire consisted only of the eastern Balkans & Asia Minor. • This smaller Eastern Roman Empire was called the Byzantine Empire – lasted until 1453.

The Byzantine Empire • Was both Christian & Greek • Greek became the official language of the empire • However, the empire was built on the Eastern Orthodox Church • Much artistic talent went into church building, church ceremonies, & church decorations to honor the Christian faith • The emperor’s powers were considered absolute because he was seen as chosen by God & crowned in sacred ceremonies

The Byzantine Empire • The emperor exercised complete control over the Eastern Orthodox church because he appointed the head of the church • The head of the church is called the Patriarch • The people of the Byzantine Empire believed they were there by God to preserve the Christian faith

Life in Constantinople • Justinian rebuilt Constantinople (Eastern Rome) in 532 after the Nika Riots had destroyed much of the city • Constantinople was the largest city in Europe during the Middle Ages with a population in the hundreds of thousands • Up until the 12th century, Constantinople was Europe’s chief center for trading goods between the West & East • Justinian smuggled in silk worms from China. Silk cloth became the city’s most lucrative product

Life in Constantinople cont… • Justinian rebuilt much of Constantinople during the 6th century • He built an immense palace, hundreds of churches, a hippodrome, & extensive public works (underground water supply) • His greatest building was the Hagia Sophia – Church of Holy Wisdom – in 537 • Had a large dome that seemed to float in space & had 42 windows that created a play of lights. • The light symbolizes the presence of God in the world

New Heights… • Macedonian expanded the Byzantine Empire during 867 – 1081 • They expanded the empire to include Bulgaria, Cyprus, Crete, & Syria • Macedonians expanded trade with the West, especially silk & metal works • Constantinople continued to prosper until…

New Problems • Incompetent Macedonian rulers undid most of the gains • Power struggles between military leaders and aristocratic families led to political & social disorder in the empire in the 11 century • Also a growing split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. • Eastern Church did not accept the pope as the head of the Christian faith • In 1054 Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael Cerularius excommunicated each other • This created a separation between these two branches of Christianity

The Crusades • From the 11th century to the 13th centuries, European Christians went on a series of military campaigns to regain the Holy Land from the Muslims • These Muslims were regarded as infidels or nonbelievers • These military campaigns are known as the Crusades • Crusade means “going to the cross”

Why Fight for the Holy Land? • A war between the Christians and the Muslims centered around the Holy Land of Jerusalem • Jesus was born near the Holy Land, crucified and buried there • In 1065 Jerusalem was taken by the Turks (Muslims) and 30,000 Christians were massacred • Jerusalem was also important to Muslims. It was where Muhammad (founder of the Muslim faith)saw the angel who told him he was a prophet (5th century)

The Push for the Crusades • The Byzantine Emperor Alexius I asked for the Europeans for help against the Seljuk Turks who were Muslims • Pope Urban II responded to the request – he saw a opportunity to provide leadership for a great cause • That cause was rallying European warriors to free Jerusalem & The Holy Land (Palestine) from the infidels (non-believers) – the Muslims • In 1095 Pope Urban II challenged Christians to take up their weapons & join in a holy war

The Push for the Crusades cont… • The Pope exclaimed, “All who die… shall have immediate remission (forgiveness) of sins.” • Warriors of western Europe formed the first crusading armies. • These knights & others in the army were motivated by religious fervor, adventure & fighting, some wanted to gain wealth & maybe a title, and some sought trading opportunities

The First Crusades: The People’s Crusades • 1st came the People’s Crusade • Popular preachers urged people to go to Jerusalem with the cry, “God Wills It!” • A monk Peter the Hermit aroused large parts of France with his preaching to vast crowds • Without waiting for the nobles and knights from Constantinople, a horde of poor men, women and children set out, unorganized & unarmed to Jerusalem

First Crusade: The People’s Crusade • 80,000 people joined Peter the Hermit and Walter the Penniless via an overland route through Germany & Hungary • Many perished due to the battles they had with the countries they had to pass through • Many perished due to lack of food & exposure to the weather • Most were slaughtered by the Turks in Asia Minor • Peter the Hermit survived & eventually led the little remaining Crusaders in a procession around the wall of Jerusalem just before the city was taken

The First Crusade • Meanwhile real armies were gathering. Most were from France • The expedition numbered 700,000 men – 100,000 of them knights • In 1098 captured Antioch – this battle lasted a year • They then pushed on toward Jerusalem. They were down to a ¼ of their numbers • When the Crusaders arrived at the Holy Land it is said the wept & kissed the ground on which they stood

The First Crusade • They also took off their shoes and marched barefoot in religious procession around the walls with Peter the hermit leading the way • Jerusalem was taken over by 1099 • Once inside the city, the Crusaders massacred their enemies without mercy • The slaughter went on for 7 days • The Crusaders took possession of the houses & property of the infidels

The Second Crusade • After taking possession of the Holy land, the Christians set up four Latin crusader states • These states were surrounded by Muslims • These four kingdoms relied on supplies from Europe coming through Italian cities • By 1140 the Muslims began to strike back. Captured one of the four Latin states – Edessa and slaughtered most of the population • Saint Bernard of Clairvaux with the help of King Louis VII of France & Emperor Conrad III of Germany formed a second crusade. It failed. • In 1187, Jerusalem fell to the Muslims under its leader Saladin

The Third Crusade • Three Christian leaders, Emperor Frederick Barbosa of Germany, Richard the Lion Hearted of England & Phillip II Augustus of France agreed to lead a 3rd Crusade. • Frederick drowned, Phillip went home • Richard the Lion Hearted negotiated an agreement with Saladin to allowing Christians pilgrims access to Jerusalem

Fourth Crusade • About 6 years after Saladin’s death in 1193, Pope Innocent III started a 4th Crusade • On their way to Jerusalem, the Venetian leaders used the situation to weaken their largest commercial competitor, the Byzantine Empire • The Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204

Children’s Crusades • In 1212, a German youth named Nicholas of Cologne brought thousands of children to the pope • He said God had inspired him to lead these children to the Holy Land – the Pope sent them home, yet 50,000 went on to the Holy Land • They were never heard from again • At the same time, a group of twenty thousand French children sailed for the Holy Land • The ships went down at sea & those children that did live were sold into slavery

Effects of the Crusades • Greatest impact of the Crusades was political – the eventually helped break down feudalism.

Emerging Europe & the Byzantine Empire