Medieval Europe: Western & Eastern Roman & World then - Socio-Political Change YouTube Lecture Handouts Part 2

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Medieval Europe: Western & Eastern Roman & World Then - Socio-Political Changes|Rise of Feudalism

Decline of Roman Empire

  • Political Corruption
  • Constant Wars
  • Infight among soldiers
  • Slave revolts
  • Imperialism destroyed democracy, encouraged slavery, created idle mobs in city, political conflicts and corruption
  • Neither agriculture nor industry could thrive on slave labor
  • Slave revolts became frequent
  • Western Roman part was destroyed by barbarian invasion
  • Eastern Rome remained till 1453 AD when Turks conquered Byzantine
  • Christianity weakened the rule of emperor of slave state as ideals of equality and love had great appeal for Rome՚s oppressed people. Its attraction was great as people were willing to die for faith and get persecuted by kings.
  • It was only under Constantine I that Christians built churches and started worshipping openly rather than in secret.

Byzantine Empire

German Tribes (Barbarians)

Goths

Franks

Vandals

  • Barbarians made raids in Roman outposts and in the city of Rome itself
  • 475 AD Vandals invaded and plundered Rome
  • In 476 AD Vandals overthrew the emperor who ruled the western empire Romulus Augustus and established himself as king. After this there was no emperor in the west
  • Only remain of Roman empire in East was Constantinople – this eastern roman was called the Byzantine empire – it was politically and economically stable- it inherited and preserved Roman civilization and had trade relations with east
  • Byzantine emperor took led in systemizing and codifying Roman law
  • Empire of Byzantine declined in 1453 AD after falling to hands of Ottoman Turks – name Constantinople was changed to Istanbul
  • Capture of Constantinople (4 times the size of old Byzantium) marked the end of Roman Empire and beginning of Ottoman Empire
  • Ottoman dynasty is named after Osman I who descended from Turkish Tribe which had migrated from Central Asia in wake of Mongol conquests

Impact of Decline

Charlemagne

  • Downfall of roman empire resulted in confusion in western Europe and led to large numerous of small states
  • In 800 AD, Charlemagne founded new empire with France and Germany and part of Italy, it broke after his death
  • Charlemagne (or Charles the Great; from the Latin Carolus Magnus, numbered Charles I, was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and Emperor of the Romans from 800 AD) was crowned 1st Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III
  • Under him Christianity became framework of life in Europe
  • He built civilizations on Christian principles, formed schools and Gothic (architecture with tall pointed arches, high curved ceilings and tall pillars) Cathedrals (main church of region under control of bishop) and churches
  • Paintings, books and sculptures of this period showed influence of church
  • Artisans made beautiful things with great skills to be used in religious services
  • Throughout the middle age՚s clergy and religious order of monks wielded influence on people and government

Holy Roman Empire

Illustration: Holy Roman Empire
  • By 1000 AD, Holy Roman Empire was formed extending over Austria and Germany
  • Many big and small kingdoms were formed
  • Fall of roman empire, led to adverse impact on Latin learning - use of language declined for both official and popular purpose
  • Germanic invasions altered the linguistic character of western Europe

Manishika