The Middle Ages The Germanic Kingdoms There are

The Middle Ages: The Germanic Kingdoms • There are three heirs to Rome • Germanic kingdoms • Eastern Roman Empire • Islamic Empires

Three Heirs to Rome

The Visigoths • • Settled on the Danube by Rome Adrianople 378 A. D. Sack of Rome 410 A. D. Migrate to Spain 410 -440 A. D. Vandal Invasion 440 -450 A. D. Vandals driven to Africa 455 A. D. Rome Sacked again 455 A. D. Odoacer deposes the last emperor

Valens Draws up His Army

Valens attacks/The Gothic Cavalry Arives

The Roman Collapse

Visigothic Spain • Coexist with the Romans • Warrior caste dominates the Roman bureaucracy • Intermarry with Catholic Romans • Never developed orderly system for selecting kings (civil wars) • Muslims conquer Spain in 711 A. D.

The Ostrogoths • Subjects of the Huns until 453 A. D. • Allies of the Eastern Roman Empire after the death of Attila

Ostrogothic Italy • King Theodoric commissioned by the emperor Zeno to attack Odoacer • Theodoric rules independently of Zeno • Integration of Roman government and German culture • Separate legal systems for Goths and Romans • Goths control the army • Religious friction (Arians vs. Catholics) • Conquered by Byzantium in 535 A. D. • Conquered by the Lombards in 554 A. D.

The Merovingian Franks 456 A. D. to 751 A. D. • • • Clovis 456 -511 A. D. Converts to Catholicism during a battle Supported by Popes to fight Arianism Religious justification for expansion 3 sons divide the Kingdom

The Franks

Frankish Society • Clovis’ sons cannot maintain political control • Noble’s power grows • Agriculture increases, trade declines • Clergy is corrupt and is dominated by nobles • Drifting towards feudalism

Frankish Culture • Extended family/male dominated • Kingship is limited – Kings elected – Military councils – Loyalty to persons or kings, not the state

Frankish Law • Salic Law • Customary Laws - Offenses are personal not crimes against the state - Fines for insults, wounds, and murder - Punishment stratified by class - Trial by battle, ordeal, or oath - Rough and ready methods of settling disputes

Frankish Family • • Extended family Male dominated Arranged marriages Bride price Virginity verified Divorce permitted Widows can own property