The Fall Of Rome & Early Middle Ages

Diocletian

Roman emperor; reigned from 284 to 305 CE and initiated major reforms, dividing Rome into the Eastern and Western Empires.

Constantine

Roman emperor; reigned from 306 to 337 CE and enacted the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance for Christianity.

Clovis

King of the Franks, united the Frankish tribes and converted to Catholicism, laying the foundation for modern France.

Pepin the Short

King of the Franks; father of Charlemagne, he was the first to be officially anointed by the Pope, establishing the precedent for the divine right of kings.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks and Lombards; crowned Emperor of the Romans in 800 CE, he expanded the Frankish empire and promoted education and culture during the Carolingian Renaissance.

Germanic Peoples

Tribal & linguistic groups who lived in Northern Europe during the Early Middle Ages.

Vikings

Scandinavian warriors, traders, and explorers who shaped northern Europe during the Early Middle Ages.

Franks

Confederation of Germanic tribes; established most powerful post-Roman kingdom in Western Europe during the Early Middle Ages (eventually became France).

Catholic Church

Powerful, unifying, & wealthy institution in Western Europe from 476 CE to 16th century. Acted as spiritual, political, legal, and intellectual backbone of medieval society.

Monastery

Building/group of buildings where religious devotees live/work/worship together. Promotes community.

Rule of St. Benedict

6th-century guidebook written around 530 CE to structure communal Christian monastic life.

Peace of God

10th century movement; tried to protect certain people from engaging/being harmed by violent citizens.

Truce of God

Medieval movement initiated by the Catholic Church in 11th century to limit feudal warfare/violence by banning fighting during holy days & specific times of the week.

Constantinople

Ancient imperial capital (known as Istanbul in modern-day Turkey) founded by Constantine in 330 CE.

Byzantine Empire

Continuation of the Roman Empire in the East. More orthodox/traditional culture compared to the Western Empire.

Carolingian Empire

Major Western European empire ruled by the Carolingian dynasty from 800-888 CE.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE)

Associated event is when Germanic king Odoacer deposed the last western emperor, Romulus Agustulus. Debatable; Rome experienced centuries of decline/political instability both before & after this time.

Early Middle Ages

5th to 10th century, began with “collapse” of Western Roman Empire & lead into the High Middle Ages.

Carolingian Renaissance

Period of cultural & intellectual revival in Western Europe. Lasted from late 8th century through 9th century during the reign of Charlemagne/his successors.

Charlemagne’s Coronation (800 CE)

Religious crowning. Pope Leo III sought protection/military, Charlemagne gained legitimacy.

Treaty of Verdun (843 CE)

Ended a 3 year civil war; divided Carolingian Empire among the three surviving grandsons of Charlemagne.

Lord

Powerful landowner; held authority over a specific territory & people living on it in exchange for loyalty/service.

Vassal

Free citizen who received land/protection from a lord in exchange for loyalty, taxes, and military service.

Knight

Armed & mounted warrior who served a lord/monarch in exchange for land/social status.

Serf

Unfree peasant laborer bound to work a specific plot of land under a lord.

Fief

Landed estate/source of income granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty, military service, and political support.

Manor

Self-sufficient agricultural estate owned by a lord & worked by peasants in exchange for housing/protection.

Missi Dominici

Translates to “envoys of the lord” in Latin; royal officials sent by Frankish kings/emperors (most notably Charlemagne) to supervise local admin & justice in remote parts of the empire.