the middle ages ii 590-1517 charlemagne and the rise of islam

The Middle Ages IIThe Middle Ages II590-1517590-1517

Charlemagne and the rise of IslamCharlemagne and the rise of Islam

The Heliand (Saxon Gospel) Circa 8th century

Fadar ûsa firiho barno, Fadar ûsa firiho barno, thu bist an them hôhon himila rîkea, thu bist an them hôhon himila rîkea,

geuuîhid sî thîn namo uuordo gehuuilico. geuuîhid sî thîn namo uuordo gehuuilico. Cuma thîn craftag rîki. Cuma thîn craftag rîki.

Uuerða thîn uuilleo obar thesa uuerold alla, Uuerða thîn uuilleo obar thesa uuerold alla, sô sama an erðo, sô thar uppa ist sô sama an erðo, sô thar uppa ist

an them hôhon himilo rîkea. an them hôhon himilo rîkea. Gef ûs dago gehuuilikes râd, drohtin the gôdo, Gef ûs dago gehuuilikes râd, drohtin the gôdo, thîna hêlaga helpa, endi alât ûs, hebenes uuard, thîna hêlaga helpa, endi alât ûs, hebenes uuard, managoro mênsculdio, al sô uue ôðrum mannum managoro mênsculdio, al sô uue ôðrum mannum

dôan. dôan. Ne lât ûs farlêdean lêða uuihti Ne lât ûs farlêdean lêða uuihti

sô forð an iro uuilleon, sô uui uuirðige sind, sô forð an iro uuilleon, sô uui uuirðige sind, ac help ûs uuiðar allun ubilon dâdiun.ac help ûs uuiðar allun ubilon dâdiun.

Charlemagne the Great 747-814Charlemagne the Great 747-814

• Charles + Magnus = charlesmagnus => Charles + Magnus = charlesmagnus => CharlemagneCharlemagne

• Karl der GroKarl der Großße –germane –german

• Karel de Grote – dutchKarel de Grote – dutch

• Carolus Magnus - latinCarolus Magnus - latin


• Great Christian king of the FranksGreat Christian king of the Franks• Conquered much of the western Conquered much of the western

world, especially to protect the world, especially to protect the bishop of Romebishop of Rome

• The “Moses of the middle ages” The “Moses of the middle ages” • Powerful warrior – 53 military Powerful warrior – 53 military

campaignscampaigns• Expanded his empire by 2xExpanded his empire by 2x


• Strong and well built manStrong and well built man

• He loved bathsHe loved baths

• Great statesman- gave audiences while getting Great statesman- gave audiences while getting dresseddressed

• Intelligent and religiousIntelligent and religious

• Very charitable, gave alms, built bridges, and Very charitable, gave alms, built bridges, and churcheschurches

• Recorded laws and German traditionRecorded laws and German tradition

• Started schools – yay public educationStarted schools – yay public education

• Strong and well built manStrong and well built man

• He loved bathsHe loved baths

• Great statesman- gave audiences while getting Great statesman- gave audiences while getting dresseddressed

• Intelligent and religiousIntelligent and religious

• Very charitable, gave alms, built bridges, and Very charitable, gave alms, built bridges, and churcheschurches

• Recorded laws and German traditionRecorded laws and German tradition

• Started schools – yay public educationStarted schools – yay public education


• Interesting marriage lifeInteresting marriage life

• 5 wives in short order then settled down 5 wives in short order then settled down with 4-5 concubineswith 4-5 concubines

• Beheaded 4500 prisoners in one day, then Beheaded 4500 prisoners in one day, then split up their families across the empire.split up their families across the empire.

• Rumored to have “loved” his daughters a Rumored to have “loved” his daughters a bit tooo much. bit tooo much.


• Rode into Rome to rescue Pope Leo III Rode into Rome to rescue Pope Leo III from an uprisingfrom an uprising

• He was “surprised” by being crowned the He was “surprised” by being crowned the Holy Roman Emperor in 800ADHoly Roman Emperor in 800AD

• This begins the Holy Roman Empire the This begins the Holy Roman Empire the combination between a German king and combination between a German king and an Italian Pope.an Italian Pope.

Mohammed 570-632Mohammed 570-632


• Born 570 AD in Mecca with miraculous Born 570 AD in Mecca with miraculous signs accompanyingsigns accompanying

• EpilepticEpileptic• Goat herder and caravan attendantGoat herder and caravan attendant• At 25 married a 40 yr. old rich widow At 25 married a 40 yr. old rich widow

KadijaKadija• Remained Married for 25 years until Remained Married for 25 years until

Kadija’s death, he then married at least 11 Kadija’s death, he then married at least 11 other womenother women


• Spent his time in meditation Spent his time in meditation

• At 40 he had a vision of Gabriel telling At 40 he had a vision of Gabriel telling him to readhim to read

• Doubted his calling as a prophet, initially Doubted his calling as a prophet, initially ascribing it to demons, but was reassured ascribing it to demons, but was reassured by his wife Kadija. by his wife Kadija.


• 622 the Hegira(Mohammed’s flight from Mecca 622 the Hegira(Mohammed’s flight from Mecca to Medina) takes placeto Medina) takes place

• Not having income, the Muslims become Not having income, the Muslims become warrior bandits. warrior bandits.

• 624 major victory in the Battle of Uhud624 major victory in the Battle of Uhud• Massacred ~700 Jews and sold their families Massacred ~700 Jews and sold their families

into slaveryinto slavery• 627-630 consolidation of power and the conquest 627-630 consolidation of power and the conquest

of Meccaof Mecca


• After conquering Mecca he emptied and After conquering Mecca he emptied and rededicated the Ka’abarededicated the Ka’aba

• He consolidated rule of Arabia, then sent He consolidated rule of Arabia, then sent out missionaries to convert the world.out missionaries to convert the world.

• He died in the arms of Aishah June 8, 632He died in the arms of Aishah June 8, 632


• Generally patient and kindGenerally patient and kind• When provoked entirely pitilessWhen provoked entirely pitiless• After Kadija he became a severe polygamistAfter Kadija he became a severe polygamist

– His favorite wife Aishah, he was betrothed to His favorite wife Aishah, he was betrothed to her when she was 6 and consummated the her when she was 6 and consummated the marriage when she was 9 (he was only 53)marriage when she was 9 (he was only 53)

– 88thth wife Zaynab was his cousin and daughter in wife Zaynab was his cousin and daughter in lawlaw

• He gave women some rights, though by no means He gave women some rights, though by no means equality with manequality with man

IslamIslamThe Five (Six) Pillars of IslamThe Five (Six) Pillars of Islam

1.1. ““There is no god but Allah, and There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet”Mohammed is his prophet”

2.2. Praying 5 times a day towards MeccaPraying 5 times a day towards Mecca3.3. Pilgrimage to Mecca at least oncePilgrimage to Mecca at least once

4.4. Giving alms for pious and charitable Giving alms for pious and charitable PurposesPurposes

5.5. Fasting from Sunrise to Sunset during Fasting from Sunrise to Sunset during RamadanRamadan

6.6. (optional) Jihad(optional) Jihad

Reasons for the Spread of Islam

1.1. FanaticismFanaticism

2.2. MonotheisticMonotheistic

3.3. Corruption of the Byzantine EmpireCorruption of the Byzantine Empire

4.4. Replacement of government onlyReplacement of government only

5.5. Anti-iconAnti-icon

6.6. Better GeneralsBetter Generals

the middle ages ii 590-1517 charlemagne and the rise of islam

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