Intro to the Middle Ages

Understanding Terms

• Medieval?

Understanding Terms

• Medieval– Comes from Latin, medium aevum

– …of, relating to, or characteristic of the Middle Ages…

– Exhibiting the severity or illiberality ascribed to a former age; cruel, barbarous.

– U.S. to get medieval  : to use violence or extreme measures on, to become aggressive.

Understanding Terms

• Medieval

• Why do they call it Middle Ages?

Understanding Terms

• Medieval

• Why do they call it Middle Ages?

• A Backward-Looking Construct

Understanding Terms

• Medieval

• Why do they call it Middle Ages?

• A Backward-Looking Construct– During the Middle Ages

Understanding Terms

• Medieval

• Why do they call it Middle Ages?

• A Backward-Looking Construct– During the Middle Ages– Birth of an idea

Understanding Terms

• Medieval• Why do they call it Middle Ages?• A Backward-Looking Construct

– During the Middle Ages– Birth of an idea– Connotations…

• Protestant Reformation

• Enlightenment

• Today

As Historians

• Decentralized Political Structure

• Christianity

• Decline and Revival of Trade

• Evolution (Transformation?) of an Economic System

Periodization

• Part I – Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages): 500-1000– Late Antiquity: 300-800 – Reconciling

Periodization

• Part I – Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages): 500-1000– Late Antiquity: 300-800 – Reconciling

• Part II, High Middle Ages: 1000-1300

• Part III, Late Middle Ages: 1300-1500

Continuity into EMA

• Romanized Barbarians

Continuity into EMA

• Romanized Barbarians

• Embrace Roman Customs

• Continued growth of Christian Church

• Continued Social Structure

Decline/Change in EMA

• Political Decentralizaton

Decline/Change in EMA

• Political Decentralizaton

• Depopulation

Decline/Change in EMA

• Political Decentralizaton

• Depopulation

• Decline of Cities

Decline/Change in EMA

• Political Decentralizaton

• Depopulation

• Decline of Cities

• Decline of Intellectual Activity

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:

Getting goods to market?

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Role of the imperial govt?

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade Econ. Impact of legions?

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

Size of the consumer mkt?

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

a

How do we know?•Coins•Roof Tiles•Pottery

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

a

How do we know?•Coins•Roof Tiles•Pottery

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses?

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Impact on another part of

the emp’s econ?

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Most obvious effect?

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Econ. Impact as army

dissolves?

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s

Italy no longer getting imper. taxes

When gov fails?

W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Econ. impact of lost N. prov’s?

Italy no longer getting imper. taxes

No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade

W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade

W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s

Italy no longer getting imper. taxes

No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s

Italy no longer getting imper. taxes

No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade

Plague + Persian, Slav, Avar, & Arab

attacks (FC.44)

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s

Italy no longer getting imper. taxes

No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade

W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:

Plague + Persian, Slav, Avar, & Arab

attacks (FC.44)

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

Lost markets in W. Mediterranean

Lost provinces, trade & taxes

Aegean econ’s after 600 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)

Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods

Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade

to move & distribute goods

A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.

Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade

Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.

Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s

Italy no longer getting imper. taxes

No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade

W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:

Plague + Persian, Slav, Avar, & Arab

attacks (FC.44)

Lost imp. $ as army dissolves

Violence & turmoil disrupt trade

N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:

Lost markets in W. Mediterranean

Lost provinces, trade & taxes

Aegean econ’s after 600 due to:

German. invasions in W Emp after 400

(FC.36)

Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that

area’s goods & mkts

When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses

Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &

interdependent econ.

a

Collapse of political order in W. Europe after 800 (FC.41)

Conclusion

• Political and Economic Disintegration– Atomized Society– Margins of World History

• New Center of Mass