Middle ages

Lecture 5: Disintegration of the Roman Empire

Important Date: 476 CE

   •      What happened? The fall of the Western Roman Empire. Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman emperor in the West, was deposed by Odoacer, a Germanic king.

Disintegration in the West

   •      Caused by internal weaknesses (political corruption, economic instability) and external pressures from migrating and invading peoples.

Policy of immigration in Roman Empire

   •      Who: Germanic tribes, including Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Anglo-Saxons, and Burgundians.

   •      When: From the late 4th century to the 5th century.

   •      Where: Across the Roman Empire, especially Europe.

   •      Key event: Battle of Adrianople (378 CE) – The Visigoths defeated Roman forces, marking the first large-scale wave of migration into the empire.

Fifth Century Changes

   •      A tipping point for Rome as more Germanic groups settled within the empire, undermining central authority.

Who were these groups?

   •      Visigoths: Settled in Hispania (modern Spain).

   •      Ostrogoths: Took control of Italy.

   •      Vandals: Established a kingdom in North Africa.

   •      Anglo-Saxons: Settled in England.

   •      Burgundians: Settled in eastern Gaul (modern France).

Disintegration in the South: Islam

   •      Who: Prophet Mohammed (570–632 CE), founder of Islam.

   •      When: Began spreading his teachings around 610 CE; rapid expansion followed his death in 632 CE.

   •      Where: Originated in Mecca and Medina, expanded across the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain.

Successions and Dynasties

      1.   Umayyad Dynasty:

        • When: 661–750 CE.

        • Where: Ruled from Damascus; expanded into Spain (Al-Andalus).

      2.   Abbasid Dynasty:

        • When: 750–1258 CE.

        • Where: Centered in Baghdad; marked the “Golden Age” of Islam.

House of Wisdom, Baghdad (830 CE)

   •      Who: Promoted by Caliph Al-Ma’mun.

   •      Where: Baghdad, Iraq.

   •      What: A center for translations, philosophy, science, and mathematics during the Islamic Golden Age.

Disintegration in the East: Byzantine Empire

   •      What: While the Western Roman Empire fell, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) continued.

   •      Key Issues:

        • Religious dissent:

             •        Nestorianism: Viewed Christ as having two separate natures (human and divine).

             •        Monophysitism: Believed Christ had one single divine nature.

             •        Both deemed heretical by the Church.

   •      Council of Chalcedon (451 CE)

        • Defined the orthodox position on Christ’s dual nature.

   •      Iconoclasm

        • Who: Byzantine emperors like Leo III.

        • When: First phase (726–787 CE); second phase (814–842 CE).

        • Where: Byzantine Empire.

   •      Justinian I

        • Who: Byzantine emperor (527–565 CE).

        • What: Known for his legal reforms (Corpus Juris Civilis) and attempts to restore the Roman Empire’s former territories.

Lecture 6: The Merovingian and Carolingian Dynasties

Merovingian Dynasty

   •      Who: Frankish rulers, starting with Clovis I (converted to Christianity in 496 CE).

   •      When: Dominated 5th–8th centuries.

   •      Where: Modern-day France, Belgium, and Germany.

   •      Social: Aristocratic class ruled.

   •      Economic: Agrarian economy.

   •      Religious: Conversion to Christianity shaped their rule, with support from the Church.

Role of the Church

   •      Abbey of Jumièges: A monastery emphasizing Christian faith.

   •      Christianization process:

        • Spread slowly through sermons, confession, and monastic life.

        • Influenced by the “Fathers of the Church” (e.g., Augustine of Hippo).

Carolingian Dynasty

   •      Who: Founded by Charles Martel and expanded by Charlemagne.

   •      When: 8th–10th centuries.

   •      Where: Frankish Empire; Aachen became a political and cultural hub.

   •      Key events:

        • Death of King Dagobert I: Transition to Carolingian rule.

        • Charlemagne crowned emperor (800 CE): Symbolized the unification of Western Europe under a Christian empire.

   •      Key themes:

        • Integration of Church structures with imperial policy.

        • Intellectual reforms led by Alcuin, a scholar in Charlemagne’s court.

Lecture 7: The High Middle Ages

The Feudal System

   •      Who: Nobles, vassals, knights, and serfs.

   •      When: Developed in the 9th–10th centuries.

   •      Where: Western Europe, particularly France and England.

   •      What: A system of mutual obligations (lords granted land in exchange for loyalty and military service).

Gregorian Reform

   •      Who: Pope Gregory VII (r. 1073–1085).

   •      When: 11th century.

   •      Where: Papal States and across Europe.

   •      What: Reforms aimed at reducing secular influence on the Church (e.g., banning lay investiture).

Investiture Controversy

   •      Who: Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV.

   •      When: Peaked in the late 11th century. Resolved with the Concordat of Worms (1122).

   •      Where: Holy Roman Empire.

Abbey of Cluny

   •      Who: Founded by William I of Aquitaine.

   •      When: 909/910 CE.

   •      Where: Cluny, France.

   •      What: Monastery that became a center of reform and ecclesial independence.

Crusades

   •      Who: European knights and nobles.

   •      When: First Crusade (1096–1099 CE), followed by several others until the 13th century.

   •      Where: Holy Land (modern Israel/Palestine), Byzantine Empire, and surrounding regions.