CHARLEMAGNE AND THE EARLY MIDDLE AGESWeek Eight
petros = rock
Peter petrify Petra
geo/terra = earth/land
terra cotta terrier geology
CHARLEMAGNE AND THE EARLY MIDDLE AGESWeek 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 Renaissance1. 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 CharlemagneA. 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