Fall of Rome and Byzantine Empire

• Following 476, the Western Roman Empire fell and fragmented
• The Eastern Roman Empire continued as the Byzantine Empire

Western Roman Empire After 476

• In 476, the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by Odoacer
• This event is traditionally recognized as the "fall" of the Western Roman Empire
• The western territories split into Germanic kingdoms, including the Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, and Anglo-Saxons
• Latin remained the primary language, and Roman customs and laws influenced the new kingdoms
• Political power became decentralized, which led to the feudal system
• The Roman Catholic Church became a unifying entity, preserving literacy and learning

Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) After 476

• The Eastern Roman Empire evolved into the Byzantine Empire, centered in Constantinople
• It was able to possess strong defenses and strategic diplomacy
• Emperor Justinian (527-565) briefly reclaimed territories in North Africa, Italy, and Spain
• Justinian commissioned the Hagia Sophia and codified Roman law in the Corpus Juris Civilis
• The Byzantine Empire blended Roman governance, Greek language, and Christian theology

Differences Between the Byzantine Empire and the Roman Empire

• Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire
• Greek was the dominant language of the Byzantine Empire
• The Roman Empire was initially pagan, later Christianized under Constantine
• The Byzantine Empire was Christian with the Eastern Orthodox Church as the state religion
• The Roman Empire emphasized Roman identity and citizenship
• The Byzantine Empire considered themselves Roman ("Rhomaioi") but culturally Greek
• The Roman Empire had more decentralized governance in its later years
• The Byzantine Empire had highly centralized governance, with the emperor considered God's representative

Differences Between the Byzantine Empire and the Western Kingdoms

• The Byzantine Empire had a centralized autocracy with a powerful emperor
• The Western Kingdoms were fragmented into smaller, feudal kingdoms with local kings
• The Byzantine Empire maintained urban centers, trade networks, and a stable economy
• The Western Kingdoms' cities and trade declined, due to more rural economies
• In the Byzantine Empire the emperor had authority over the church
• In the Western Kingdoms the Pope held religious authority

Similarities Between the Byzantines and the Western Kingdoms

• Both were Christian societies but developed different branches like the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic
• Both preserved Roman law, culture, and architectural styles
• Both faced invasions from Germanic tribes, Persians, Arabs, Vikings, and Magyars

Eastern Orthodox Church vs. Roman Catholic Church Similarities

• Both share fundamental Christian beliefs like the Trinity, sacraments, and the Bible
• Both trace their leadership to the apostles Peter and Andrew

Differences Between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church

• The Pope is the supreme authority in the Roman Catholic Church
• Authority is shared between patriarchs in the Eastern Orthodox Church with the Patriarch of Constantinople as "first among equals"
• The Catholic Church added "and the Son" to the Nicene Creed, but the Orthodox Church rejected this
• Catholic Church services originally used Latin
• Orthodox Church services used Greek
• The political division of the Roman Empire influenced these cultural and religious divergence
• The Great Schism of 1054 concerned issues of authority and doctrine

Clovis and Charlemagne

• Clovis and Charlemagne helped re-establish kingdoms in Western Europe
• Clovis (481–511) united the Frankish tribes, forming the Merovingian Dynasty
• Clovis expanded his territory into modern-day France and parts of Germany
• Clovis defeated Syagrius at the Battle of Soissons (486) and conquered the Alemanni and Visigoths
• Clovis adapted Roman law to create the Salic Law
• Clovis maintained the Roman civitas (city) system as administrative centers
• Charlemagne (768–814) expanded the Frankish kingdom, creating the Carolingian Empire
• Charlemagne established missi dominici to oversee counts, ensuring loyalty and enforcing laws
• The Carolingian Renaissance promoted learning, standardized Latin, and preserved texts

The Relationship with the Catholic Church and Christianity

• Clovis converted to Catholic Christianity around 496, influenced by his wife, Clotild
• This assisted Clovis' conquests and gave him support from Roman Catholic bishops in Gaul
• Clovis' conversion resulted in the mass baptism of his warriors
• Charlemagne saw himself as the protector of Christianity
• Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne "Emperor of the Romans" in 800
• This symbolized the unity of Christian Europe and the continuation of Roman imperial authority
• Charlemagne enforced the conversion of conquered people and standardized practices

Rome Similarities

• Both Clovis and Charlemagne exercised strong central authority similar to Roman emperors
• Both rulers adapted Roman legal principles
• Both promoted Catholic Christianity
• Continued the use of Roman civitas (cities) as administrative hubs

Differences

• The kingdoms of Clovis and Charlemagne were culturally Germanic
• Their rule was more localized and feudal with vassals and counts
• Their economy was feudal and agrarian-based
• The military relied on mounted knights and vassal armies

Holy Roman Empire

• The Holy Roman Empire was sanctioned by the Catholic Church
• Conflicts between emperors and popes challenged the religious authority
• The Holy Roman Empire claimed to continue the legacy of the ancient Roman Empire
• The Holy Roman Empire was Germanic and Latin-based
• It had a political ambition and territorial claims in modern-day Germany, Italy, and Central Europe
• It lacked centralized authority and functioned as a loose confederation

Historical Significance Terms

• Merovingians: Frankish dynasty uniting Gaul and spreading Christianity
• Clovis/Clotild: The first Catholic King of the Franks thanks to his wife
• Civitas: Administrative cities inherited from Roman governance
• Carolingians: Dynasty under Charles Martel and Charlemagne
• Charles Martel: Carolingian ruler who won the Battle of Poitiers (732)
• Battle of Poitiers (732): Victory by Charles Martel against the Umayyad Caliphate
• Charlemagne: King and Emperor who expanded the realm and promoted learning
• Missi Dominici: Royal envoys ensuring local justice
• Holy Roman Empire: Revived in 962, it revived Roman authority
• Pope Leo III: Crowned Charlemagne as Emperor, strengthening the alliance
• Renovatio Romani Imperi: Charlemagne's vision of reviving Roman imperial traditions
• Carolingian Renaissance: A revival of culture, standardizing Latin
• Treaty of Verdun (843): Divided Charlemagne's empire between three kingdoms