Notes on Western Christendom After the Roman Collapse

Western Christendom: Rebuilding in the Wake of Roman Collapse

• Western Christendom followed a different trajectory than the Byzantine Empire, influenced by geographic isolation from key trade routes (Indian Ocean, Silk Roads, Sand Roads).

• Internal geography (mountains, forests, peninsulas) hindered political unity.

• Europe's geography favored coastal trade and agriculture due to fertile lands and conducive climate.

Political Life in Western Europe

• Post-Roman Empire (after 476 CE), significant political and social transformation occurred:

  • Roman authority collapsed; large-scale centralized governance vanished.

  • Population decreased by over 25% due to disease and warfare.

  • Many urban centers declined; Rome reduced from 1 million to approximately 10,000 people by the 10th century.

  • Long-distance trade diminished as Roman roads fell into disrepair; general shift from money economy to barter.

  • Germanic tribes (Goths, Franks, etc.) became dominant, fueling shift towards a northern and western focus in Europe.

• Emergence of regional kingdoms:

  • Visigoths in Spain, Franks in France, Lombards in Italy, and Angles/Saxons in England.

  • Influences from Roman culture persisted, as Germanic rulers embraced Roman law and governance.

Western Christendom followed a different trajectory than the Byzantine Empire, influenced by geographic isolation from key trade routes (Indian Ocean, Silk Roads, Sand Roads).

Internal geography (mountains, forests, peninsulas) hindered political unity.

Europe's geography favored coastal trade and agriculture due to fertile lands and conducive climate.

Political Life in Western Europe

Post-Roman Empire (after 476 CE), significant political and social transformation occurred:

• Roman authority collapsed; large-scale centralized governance vanished.

• Population decreased by over 25% due to disease and warfare.

• Many urban centers declined; Rome reduced from 1 million to approximately 10,000 people by the 10th century.

• Long-distance trade diminished as Roman roads fell into disrepair; general shift from money economy to barter.

• Germanic tribes (Goths, Franks, etc.) became dominant, fueling shift towards a northern and western focus in Europe.

• Emergence of regional kingdoms:

  • Visigoths in Spain

  • Franks in France

  • Lombards in Italy

  • Angles/Saxons in England.

• Influences from Roman culture persisted, as Germanic rulers embraced Roman law and governance.