The Middle AgesThe Middle AgesIntroductionIntroduction

Back to Western EuropeBack to Western Europe• Where did we leave off?Where did we leave off?

– The Roman Empire was collapsing.The Roman Empire was collapsing.• Invaders attacked Rome from the north (Germania)Invaders attacked Rome from the north (Germania)

– Power was shifting Power was shifting EastEast (to what empire?) (to what empire?)

– The Catholic Church has filled the power vacuum left The Catholic Church has filled the power vacuum left by the Roman Empire.by the Roman Empire.• Church had the power over political, social, Church had the power over political, social,

economic, and religious life of everyday economic, and religious life of everyday Europeans.Europeans.

In the Middle In the Middle Ages, the Ages, the

power is with power is with the the

C.H.U.R.C.H.C.H.U.R.C.H.

CChurch authority grew as Roman hurch authority grew as Roman authority declined.authority declined.

http://www.seflooringamerica.com/images/userpics/Person%20vacuuming.JPG

Power Vacuum!

Powerful Popes

• #1 – Gregory the Great (590-604 A.D.)– Took over the day to day administration of

Rome.– Instructed military on the defense of the city.– Became an international political leader!

HHundreds of social and religious undreds of social and religious needs met by parish priests.needs met by parish priests.

http://people.morrisville.edu/~brownmt/english_lit/nunspri1.gif

UUnification of Europe under the nification of Europe under the churchchurch

Roman Catholic

Eastern Orthodox

The Conversion of Ireland!The Conversion of Ireland!• Story of St. Patrick (390?-461)Story of St. Patrick (390?-461)

RRoman and Greek cultural oman and Greek cultural achievements preserved by achievements preserved by

monasteries.monasteries.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/wgimages/BN8937_11.jpg

• Monasteries- People went Monasteries- People went there to grow spiritually and there to grow spiritually and to escape Europe, which to escape Europe, which was still in chaos.was still in chaos.

• Most influential monk – Most influential monk – Benedict of Nursia (470-543)Benedict of Nursia (470-543)

• He wrote a He wrote a Rule. Rule. The The RuleRule called for monks to live a called for monks to live a balanced life of work and balanced life of work and prayer (work consisted of prayer (work consisted of translating ancient texts!)translating ancient texts!)

CCrowning of Charlemagne in rowning of Charlemagne in 800 A.D. = key event800 A.D. = key event

• Example of the power of the church.• Basically proves how strong the church

had become.

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/charlemagne/images/coronation-charlemagne-MS-8.jpg

HHoly Roman Empire = main oly Roman Empire = main political body under Catholic church political body under Catholic church

In the Middle Ages, the power is In the Middle Ages, the power is with the C.H.U.R.C.H.with the C.H.U.R.C.H.

CChurch authority grew as Roman authority declined.hurch authority grew as Roman authority declined.

HHundreds of social and religious needs met by parish undreds of social and religious needs met by parish priests.priests.

UUnification of Europe under the churchnification of Europe under the churchRRoman and Greek cultural achievements preserved by oman and Greek cultural achievements preserved by

monasteries.monasteries.CCrowning of Charlemagne in 800 A.D. = key eventrowning of Charlemagne in 800 A.D. = key eventHHoly Roman Empire = main political body under oly Roman Empire = main political body under

Catholic church Catholic church

Basically, Medieval culture was a mix of the three C’s

• Classical heritage of Rome• Christian Beliefs• Customs of Germanic Tribes

ReflectionReflection

• If you lived during the Middle Ages, what If you lived during the Middle Ages, what do you think you would have to do or be to do you think you would have to do or be to be successful?be successful?