Transcript Middle Ages
Mid-(Evil) Times in Europe UNIT 1: PART 4 Byzantine Empire Lasted until 1453 Eastern Roman Empire = Byzantine Empire Known as a Greek and Christian state Greek Language replaced Latin Strong Christian influence Most inhabitants still considered themselves “Romans” Constantinople considered a prized possession Extent of Byzantine Empire 527-565 CE Constantinople Constantinople is the home city of the empire Gateway PRIME Melting between Asia and Europe location for trade pot of cultures and ideas Constant target for foreign invaders Remained the Capital city of the Eastern Empire even after the fall of the Western Empire Heavily fortified The Great Schism Schism-divide or split Church leaders in the East and West differed on their views of Christianity Major Issues Icons: holy images of Jesus, Virgin Mary or Saints Some had these in their homes and Churches, others believed this was wrong (iconoclast) Pope vs. Patriarch Byzantines looked to church leader (Patriarch), did not recognize the Pope in Rome Church Doctrine and Practice Medieval Times/Middle Ages 476-1300 A.D. Time between the Fall of Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance German tribes replaced the Romans as the rulers of Western Europe MISERABLE time for most people Feudal system develops Advances and learning made by Greeks and Romans disappeared Most Europeans lived in fear of: Barbarian attacks Disease famine ARG… Vikings Attack! 800-900s Vikings from Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) Coastal cities in fear of constant attacks from Vikings Traveled south along the coast of Europe and British Isles during Spring and Summer Raid and Loot settlements Take captives for slaves Eventually settled in Normandy, France Europe’s Feudal System After the fall of Rome, people looked for protection from criminals and invaders Feudalism: System of protection that developed in Europe during the Middle Ages a system of mutual obligation (sort of) Based on loyalty and protection Fief- a grant of land given to vassals Became hereditary passing from one male to another “I didn’t know we had a King” Social Hierarchy King Lord Vassal Peasant http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=-8bqQC1PSE Role of the Church After schism, there were 2 groups of Christians Orthodox Roman Catholic Christian Church replaced the Roman Empire as Europe’s source of leadership and stability Pope had supreme authority Europe’s largest landowner Many church officials were feudal lords Could not question church techniques or authority Church had its own code of law=control over region and its’ people The Wealth and influence of the Church led to corruption Church became the wealthiest institution Had the power to tax (tithe was 1/10 of income) Common features Important Events of the Middle Ages Crusades The Magna Carta The Bubonic Plague All lead to the Renaissance in the 1400s! The Crusades An attempt by European Christians to retake the Holy Land from the Muslims during the Middle Ages 1000 A.D: Muslims conquer Jerusalem 1095 A.D.: Pope calls upon European Kings and lords to raise armies Result: 1291 Crusades end and Muslims regain control Europeans fail to capture the Holy Land Benefits of the Crusades Increased trade between Europe and Asia Europeans were reintroduced to the ideas and texts of the Greeks and Romans by the Muslims One Factor that led to the Renaissance We have a rodent problem! The Bubonic Plague: swept through Europe 1347-1351 Carried from Asia to Europe on trading ships Rats carried fleas infected with the disease 1/3 of European pop. Died because of the Plague Impact of the Plague Impact: Catholic Church lost power b/c people’s faith in God was shaken Workers earned better pay b/c there were fewer of them Entire towns died off Mass graves, not enough room or time to bury ppl Better pay and education lead to peasant uprisings against kings and lords Pics First Hand Accounts At the time no one knew that rats were the carriers of the disease, they blamed higher powers “Some say that the plague descended upon the human race through the influence of the heavenly bodies, others that it was punishment signifying God’s righteous anger at our wicked way of life.” Others thought a major earthquake released toxic fumes Magna Carta Means “Great Paper” Magna Carta: one of the most important documents written in the history of democracy. Guarantees basic rights and limits the power of the government Written in England in 1215 Originally written to protect the rights of English lords from the King The Magna Carta stated: Excessive (a lot) taxes could not be collected by the king Those accused of crimes would be judged by a jury of peers The king must follow the law or be removed from office Changes to Europe Brought about b/c of the Crusades New military techniques- Crossbow Advanced trade between Italian cities and Holy Land Increase in power of European Kings due to large number of noble class deaths A Growing Culture 1. Education grew as the cities expanded Nobles and clergy most educated 4 elite universities built Law, medicine, theology studied 2. Architecture Gothic Style- named after barbarian goths New Churches were considered monuments to God Common features High walls Flying buttresses (support) Tall spires Gothic Architecture 3. Recovery of Greek Texts Brought back works of Aristotle Scholasticism- bringing faith and reason together