CHARLEMAGNE AND THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

Week Eight

petros = rock

Peter petrify Petra

geo/terra = earth/land

terra cotta terrier geology

CHARLEMAGNE AND THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

Week Eight

I. Aachen Chapel

Charlemagne’s Aachen Cathedral reflects the succession of the ancient Roman emperors and the Christianizing of Europe.

Aachen cathedral

The Octagons of Aachen

II. Charlemagne

Einhard’s hagiographical description

Reality: a barbarian Christian conqueror

bio/viv = life

revive victuals biology

dict = speak

verdict dictator benediction

III. The Making of Barbarian Kingdoms

A. Italian Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great:

Roman civil government and Germanic kingship

From chaos to Lombard rule after Theodoric’s death

B. Spanish Visigoths Wealthy and desirable

territory Muslims overthrow the

Visigoths and establish caliphate in 711

Ostrogoths

III. The Making of Barbarian Kingdoms

C. Anglo-Saxons Little kingdoms Conversion to Christianity,

as chronicled by Bede Syncretism and Beowulf:

story that chronicles the adventures of a hero who saves the Danes from the terrible monster Grendel

Bede

Beowulf

In Search of Beowulf

Beowulf trailer

III. The Making of Barbarian Kingdoms

D. Franks Client state of Rome Clovis and conquest (486

CE); conversion to Christianity; launches the Merovingian dynasty

Baptism of Clovis

IV. Charlemagne and the Carolingians

A. Charles Martel Rise of aristocracy

over kingdom. Why?1. Military: scorched earth and absolute fidelity2. Religious: loyalty and

religious posts; church-state collusion

Pippin

The Kingdom of Charlemagne

IV. Charlemagne and the Carolingians

B. Charlemagne Conquest: Pippin’s son

defeats the Lombards, Saxons, Avars, Muslims

Government: a crude Roman administration

Charlemagne’s Empire

Carolingian Renaissance

1. Spiritual renewal The protector of all

Christians under the Pope’s obedience

Rome crowns Charlemagne emperor in 800

2. Intellectual renewal Education: establishes

schools; recruits intellectuals

Fusion of Germanic and Roman art

V. After Charlemagne

A. Overextension: not enough infrastructureB. Division of the kingdomC. Threats from outsideD. Return to aristocraciesE. Christianity spreads

Scandinavia

Viking invasion

Epilogue

Charlemagne’s death 814: buried under Palatine

Chapel in imperial robes

Aachen Chapel today

Aachen’s hot springs