The Middle Ages: The Germanic Kingdoms There are three heirs to Rome Germanic kingdoms Eastern Roman...
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Transcript of The Middle Ages: The Germanic Kingdoms There are three heirs to Rome Germanic kingdoms Eastern Roman...
The Middle Ages:The Germanic Kingdoms
• There are three heirs to Rome
• Germanic kingdoms • Eastern Roman
Empire • Islamic Empires
The Visigoths
• Settled on the Danube by Rome • Adrianople 378 A.D. • Sack of Rome 410 A.D. • Migrate to Spain 410-440 A.D. • Vandal Invasion 440-450 A.D. • Vandals driven to Africa 455 A.D. • Rome Sacked again 455 A.D. • Odoacer deposes the last emperor
Visigothic Spain
• Coexist with the Romans
• Warrior caste dominates the Roman bureaucracy
• Intermarry with Catholic Romans
• Never developed orderly system for selecting kings (civil wars)
• Muslims conquer Spain in 711 A.D.
The Ostrogoths
• Subjects of the Huns until 453 A.D. • Allies of the Eastern Roman Empire after the death of Attila
Ostrogothic Italy• King Theodoric commissioned by the
emperor Zeno to attack Odoacer • Theodoric rules independently of Zeno • Integration of Roman government and
German culture • Separate legal systems for Goths and
Romans • Goths control the army • Religious friction (Arians vs. Catholics) • Conquered by Byzantium in 535 A.D. • Conquered by the Lombards in 554 A.D.
The Merovingian Franks 456 A.D. to 751 A.D.
• Clovis 456-511A.D.
• Converts to Catholicism during a battle
• Supported by Popes to fight Arianism
• Religious justification for expansion
• 3 sons divide the Kingdom
Frankish Society
• Clovis’ sons cannot maintain political control
• Noble’s power grows • Agriculture increases, trade declines • Clergy is corrupt and is dominated by
nobles • Drifting towards feudalism
Frankish Culture
• Extended family/male dominated
• Kingship is limited – Kings elected – Military councils – Loyalty to persons or kings, not the state
Frankish Law
• Salic Law• Customary Laws
- Offenses are personal not crimes against the state- Fines for insults, wounds, and murder- Punishment stratified by class- Trial by battle, ordeal, or oath - Rough and ready methods of settling disputes
Frankish Family
• Extended family
• Male dominated
• Arranged marriages
• Bride price
• Virginity verified
• Divorce permitted
• Widows can own property