The Barbarian Invasions

The Migration Period in Europe, 300-700 C.E.

Content Goals and Objectives:

Goal 4 – Barbarian InvasionsThe student will evaluate the invasions of Europe as a force for change in medieval Europe.

4.01 Trace and evaluate the effects of the Germanic invasions during late antiquity including but not limited to the invasions of the Goths, Huns, Lombards, and Franks.

4.02 Outline the political achievements and developments of the Merovingians in early medieval Europe.

4.03 Evaluate the political developments and impact of the Carolingian Empire on medieval Europe.

4.04 Detail the Vikings invasions and assess their impact on the cultural and political development of medieval Europe.

4.05 Evaluate the role of the Islamic threat on the cultural and political developments of medieval Europe.

4.06 Summarize the influence of Magyar invasions on cultural and political developments of medieval Europe.

4.07 Assess the cultural and political results of the invasions of early medieval Europe.

The Fall of the Roman Empire

Beginning of the Middle Ages Invasions of Barbarian Tribes End of the Roman emperors 476 C.E. = end of the Roman Empire

“Barbarian” Germanic general Odoacer deposed the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustus

Who were these barbarians who are charged with ultimately bringing down the Roman empire?

Barbarian Invasions

Areas of Settlement Angles/Saxons

Came from Continental Europe

Settled in England Magyars

Came from Central Asia

Settled in Hungary Vikings

Came from Scandinavia

Many settled in Russia

Who were the barbarians?Barbarians – term applied by the Romans to any group

they considered uncivilized From a Greek word meaning“anyone who is not Greek”

Barbarians were all of the groups/tribes living in Europe Different tribes were migrating around continent For example: “Germanic tribes” describes a lot of

different tribes who lived in the general area now called Germany, but they did not think of themselves as “Germans,” and went on to eventually found completely different countries, such as the Germanic Franks founding France

European MigrationsFirst phase of migrations (circa 300-500 CE)

Germanic peoples of northern Europe who settled throughout Europe (territory and border lands of Roman empire)

Such as the Alamanni, Alans, Angles, Burgundians, Franks, Goths (Ostrogoths and Visigoths), Jutes, Langobards, Lombards, Saxons, Suebi, Vandals

Second phase of migrations (circa 500-700 CE) Slavic tribes of eastern Europe Such as the Bulgars

Division into phases not very important These tribes took centuries to eventually settle By the time they settled, a new migratory wave—the Viking

invasions—took place starting in the 700s

This map shows the movement southward of the tribes of northern Europe. For example, the Goths originated in Scandinavia. By 150 C.E., the Goths were living on the southern shores of the Baltic Sea. By 200 C.E., the Goths were in southeastern Europe along the Black Sea. Here,

the Goths split, with those living in the east called Ostrogoths, and those in the west called Visigoths.

Germanic CultureEconomy

Hunters and farmersWar culture

Tribes always fighting one anotherReligion

Valhalla – warriors’ heaven Animal and human sacrifice Gods survive in our days of the week Gradually converted to Christianity through exposure

to the Roman empire and Christian missionaries

Germanic Justice• Trial by ordeal– Innocence proven by survival of a trial– For example, retrieving an object from boiling

water or walking over hot coals– If the person survived the ordeal, or healed

quickly, the verdict was innocent– Modern era version: Salem Witchcraft Trials

• Trial by combat– Winner of the fight is innocent of the crime, or

winner of the dispute– Modern era version: Dueling

• These trials survived through the Middle Ages in Europe

Angles, Saxons, and Jutes 400s Moved into Britannia as the Roman empire

declined Gave the area its name

England = “Angle’s land” Old English language -closely related to Frisian,

a German dialectThe BurgundiansLate 400s to 530s

Founded a kingdom in southern Gaul (modern France) in the Valley of the Rhone

The VandalsLed by Genseric (lived circa 389 CE-477 CE)

Crossed Gaul, to Spain, to north Africa Established Vandal kingdom around Carthage and on

islands such as Corsica and SardiniaFamously sacked Rome in 455 C.E.

After murder of Emperor Valentinian III Plundered city’s riches – origin of term vandalism Kidnapped emperor’s widow and daughtersFinally conquered by the Eastern Roman

empire in 533 CE

The Franks Kingdom in Gaul

Became known as “France” after the Franks

United under King Clovis (lived circa 466-511 CE) First king of France (ruled 481-511 CE) Married Christian Burgundian princes,

Clotilde Converted to Christianity

The Lombards Invaded Italy following the death of Emperor

Justinian (Eastern Roman empire) in 565 CE

568 CE Under leadership of Alboin Set up a powerful kingdom in the Italian

peninsula Modern Italian region of Lombardy Conquered by France’s King Charlemagne in

774

The Huns From Asia, east of the Volga River

Their migration pushed Goths into Roman empire, ca. 370 CE Led by Attila the Hun (lived 406-453 CE) Campaign in Gaul

Sacked various cities Finally defeated by alliance of Romans and Visigoths under

General Aetius at the Battle of Chalons (451 CE) According to legend, Pope Leo I, helped by St. Peter and St.

Paul, convinced Attila at the Po River to halt his advance Attila retreated and died a year later, allegedly by choking to

death on his own blood (from a nosebleed) while in a drunken stupor following his wedding

The Goths split into the

Visigoths (West

Goths) and Ostrogoths

(East Goths) around the year 200

CE.

The Visigoths (West Goths)Led by Alaric I (lived ca. 370-410 CE)Pushed into the Roman empire by the westward

migration of the Huns 378 CE – Romans defeated by the Visigoths at the

Battle of AdrianopleSacked Rome in 410 CEEventually settled in Spain

Visigothic kingdom in Spain lasted until Arab Muslim invaders arrived in 711 CE These Muslim rulers were not expelled until completion of the

Reconquista under Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492

The Ostrogoths (East Goths) Led by Theodoric the Great (lived 454-

526) Raised at the court in Constantinople as a

traditional hostage, returning to the Ostrogoths at age 31

Kingdom in Italy Capital city – Ravenna

Center of art and learning Conquered by Emperor Justinian (Eastern

Roman empire) in 554 CE

Odoacer and the Fall of Rome476 CE – the barbarian general, Odoacer, dethroned

the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustus No one even knows which tribe he belonged to, only that

he was Germanic The conquest of the Western Roman empire was a long

process, and a lot of factors contributed to Rome’s declineThis date (476 CE) is traditionally used for the end

of the Roman empire and the beginning of the Middle Ages, circa 500-1400 (or Dark Ages, circa 500-800)

The Dark Ages (500-800 CE) Universal rule under Rome collapsed

Separate barbarian kingdoms ruled in Rome’s place Economic decline

Trade Infrastructure fell apart (roads and bridges) Piracy in the seas hurt trade Few coins minted

Industry With limited trade, little demand for goods Fewer skilled workers trained Depopulation of cities (workers returned to farms)

Culture and learning Illiteracy grew Ancient wisdom of Greece and Rome largely lost

Preserved by Christian monks (Europe) and Muslim Arabs (Middle East and northern Africa)

Rise of the Germanic Peoples Ostrogoths: Italian

peninsula Visigoths: modern-

day Spain Angles and

Saxons: modern-day Britain

Franks: central Europe

“Invasion of the Goths into the Roman Empire,” a 19th-century painting

Rise of the Germanic Peoples continued

After the Germanic invasions, Roman influence merged with the Germanic culture and people in different ways. The Ostrogoths (in the Italian peninsula) preserved Roman governmental structure and traditions. The Visigoths, located in modern-day Spain, kept Roman traditions but installed Germanic leaders. In the British Isles, the Angles and Saxons each carved out portions to create their own kingdoms. The strongest of Germanic tribes was the Franks, located in central Europe, who gained much of their strength under Clovis and Charlemagne.

Invasions drastically change Europe 5 consequences

Disruption of Trade Downfall of Cities Population Shifts Decline of Learning Loss of a common language

Disruption of Trade Merchants faced

invasions from both land and sea, which led to their businesses collapsing.

The breakdown of trade destroyed Europe’s cities as economic centers.

Money became scarce.

Downfall of Cities With the fall of the

Roman Empire, cities were abandoned as centers of administration

Population Shifts As Roman centers of trade and government collapsed, nobles

retreated to the rural areas and cities were left without strong leadership.

Other city dwellers also fled to the countryside, where they grew their own food.

The population of western Europe became mostly rural.

Decline of Learning The Germanic invaders could

not read or write and only Roman church officials continued to be literate.

Knowledge of Greek was almost lost and few people could read Greek works of literature, science, and philosophy.

The Germanic tribes had a rich oral tradition of songs and legends, just no written language.

Loss of a Common Language As German-speaking peoples mixed with the Roman population,

Latin began to change and was no longer understood from region to region.

By the 800s, French, Spanish, and other Romance languages had evolved from Latin.

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge Between 400- 600 C.E.

Germanic Kingdoms replace Roman provinces Borders constantly

changing Church only source of

stability New concept of

Government Family ties and personal

loyalty most important Small communities

Governed by unwritten rules and traditions

The Franks Former Roman province of

Gaul (France) Clovis

496 C.E. led army against warring Germanic tribe Fearing defeat prayed to

the Christian God Franks won and Clovis

converted to Christianity (as well as his soldiers) The church supported

Clovis 511 C.E. Clovis united

the Franks into one kingdom

Germanic Christianity By 600 C.E. many Germanic

people Christian Rulers and missionaries helped

spread religion Spreads to England

Monasteries and Convents Built to adapt to rural

conditions Saint Benedict 520 C.E.

Benedictine rule Benedictines most

influential monastic order Most educated, preserved

history Preserved Greco-Roman

cultural achievements

Gregory I (The Great) Became Pope in 590 C.E. Broadened role of the

church Became secular, involved

in worldly affairs such as politics

Idea of a churchly kingdom of Europe ruled by the Pope

Made church administration more efficient

Endorsed missionaries Supported Benedictine rule

The Frankish Empire Franks controlled largest

kingdom in Europe Clovis created the Merovingian

dynasty Near Paris, defeated rival

groups 486-507 C.E. Successors weak rulers

Charles Martel 719 C.E. Mayor of the palace More power than King Battle of Tours 732 C.E.

Defeated invading Muslim army

Became Christian hero Passed power to his son

Pepin the Short Cooperated with Pope Fought for the church

and became the King Created Carolingian

Dynasty Wife “big-footed Bertha”

Charlemagne Pepin died in 768 C.E. Charlemagne (Charles the Great) Empire

Greatest since Ancient Rome Conquered lands through

military victory Spread Christianity through

conquests Reunited Western Europe Pope Leo III crowned him

Emperor in 800 C.E. He needed a strong powerful

leader for Western Europe Called himself a “Roman

Emperor” Linked Carolingian Monarchy

with Church

Charlemagne’s Rule Government

Limited authority of nobles

Strengthened central authority

Used Royal agents to report on countryside

Regularly participated in his kingdom’s affairs

Culture Roman culture was

reinterpreted Encouraged learning Opened a palace school

Built schools, churches and roads to unite the empire

Ordered monasteries to open schools to train monks and priests

Monasteries expanded their libraries

The end of an Empire Charlemagne crowned

his son Louis the Pious king in 814 C.E.

Religious man Ineffective ruler

Louis’ heirs Three sons Fought civil war Treaty of Verdun in 843

C.E. split kingdom New system of

government and landholding evolved

Unifying effect of Charlemagne never died

Clovis (466–511) Established a Frankish

kingdom in central Europe Conquered many

competing tribes and regional Roman political leaders

Converted to Christianity

Clovis continued In 486, the Franks defeated the last major Roman army

in Gaul (present-day France) then subdued other tribes and minor rulers in the area to establish the first Frankish Kingdom.

Clovis, the first Frankish king, had a brilliant military career and dramatically expanded the holdings of his empire through battles with both competing tribes and remaining regional Roman political leaders.

During his reign, he converted to Christianity—supposedly after praying to Jesus during a battle. This helped to establish bonds with Christians now under his rule through military conquest.

Frankish Kingdom continued After the death of Clovis, Charles Martel became

leader of the Franks. He continued to expand and defend the Frankish

Kingdom, including the defeat of Muslim invaders in 732. After his death, his son, Pepin, asked the head of the

church, Pope Zacharias, to recognize him as king. The pope agreed and Pepin became the first Frankish

king to rule with papal blessing. Pepin ruled until 768. His successor, Charles, continued

the relationship between the Frankish kingdom and the church and expanded it further.

Charlemagne (742–814) Pepin’s son, Charles, became leader

of the largest empire since the Romans. Known as Charlemagne (Charles the Great), he was another fierce military leader who sought to expand the Frankish empire.

Powerful leader, strong Christian Created the Carolingian Empire During his rise to power,

Charlemagne was summoned by Pope Leo III, who crowned him the Emperor of the Romans (or Holy Roman Emperor), uniting the Roman, Christian, and Germanic cultures and traditions.

Conquests of Charlemagne Charlemagne defeated the Lombards to the south, the

Saxons to the north, and the Slavs to the east. After Charlemagne’s death, his empire quickly fell apart

as his grandsons fought one another for control. Powerful local nobles came to control land interests

throughout Europe, leading to a decentralization of power.

Adding to the disorder were constant raids carried out by Scandinavian warriors known as Vikings.

The Vikings Warrior culture from Scandinavia Raided Europe Established settlements throughout Europe and even in

North America Scholars disagree about the reasons why the Vikings began

to aggressively raid other cultures and settle their lands. Overcrowding in the Viking homelands may have forced them to

seek new territory; crop failures or a desire to find new trade outlets may also have

been factors. Viking settlers ended up as far south as the Mediterranean,

as far East as modern-day Russia, and as far west as modern-day Iceland, Greenland, and even Canada. They overran a large area of northwestern France and called it Norsemanland, later known as Normandy.

A Viking longboat