Greco-Roman Culture and the Middle Ages

Terms and People

• Greco-Roman Culture: A mix of ancient Greek and Roman traditions, including art, literature, philosophy, governance, and architecture.
• Middle Ages: A period in European history from the 5th to the 15th century after the fall of the Roman Empire, divided into Early, High, and Late Middle Ages.
• Medieval Period: A synonym for the Middle Ages.
• Dark Ages: Describes the Early Middle Ages (500–1000 AD) as a time of cultural and economic decline after Rome's fall; modern historians avoid this term due to its negative implications.
• Latin-Romance Languages: Languages that evolved from Latin, such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian.
• Germanic Kingdoms: Kingdoms set up in the former Western Roman Empire by Germanic tribes like the Franks, Visigoths, and Ostrogoths.
• Christianity: A monotheistic religion based on Jesus Christ's teachings, which became Europe's main religion during the Middle Ages.
• Secular: Non-religious, referring to earthly matters as opposed to religious ones during the Middle Ages.
• Pope: The leader of the Roman Catholic Church, considered the spiritual successor to Saint Peter.
• Charlemagne: King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor in the 9th century, who expanded the Frankish empire and supported education and Christianity.
• Holy Roman Empire: A political entity in Central Europe, established by Charlemagne beginning in 800 AD.
• Vikings: Scandinavian seafarers known for raiding and settling across Europe from the 8th to 11th centuries.
• Feudalism: A social and economic system in medieval Europe exchanging land for loyalty and service, with a hierarchy of kings, nobles, knights, and peasants.
• Lords/Nobles: High-ranking landowners in the feudal system who owned large estates and granted land to vassals for loyalty and military service.
• Knights: Warriors who served a lord for land or protection, following a code of chivalry.
• Peasants/Serfs: The lowest class in the feudal system, working the land; serfs were bound to the land, while peasants had more freedom.
• Manorial System: An economic system supporting feudalism, where peasants or serfs worked the land for lords in exchange for protection and housing.
• Crusades: A series of religious wars starting in the 11th century, initiated by European Christians to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control.
• Holy Land: The Middle Eastern region including Jerusalem, sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
• The Black Death/Plague: A deadly pandemic that killed about one-third of Europe's population in the 14th century.
• Page/Squire/Knight: A training system for young boys to become knights, progressing from page to squire before being knighted.
• Chivalry: A code of conduct for knights, emphasizing bravery, honor, and respect for women, the weak, and the church.
• Romanesque Architecture: A style of architecture (9th–12th century) featuring rounded arches, thick walls, and small windows.
• Gothic Architecture: A style of architecture (12th–16th century) known for its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, allowing taller and more light-filled buildings, especially cathedrals.
• Tithe: A payment of 10% of a person’s income to the church, common in medieval Europe.
• Canon Law: Laws and regulations made by the Catholic Church to govern its followers' behavior.
• Sacraments: Religious ceremonies in the Christian Church, like baptism and communion.
• Excommunicated: A punishment by the church excluding a person from sacraments and services.
• Interdiction: A church penalty forbidding an entire region from receiving sacraments, used as political pressure.
• Pope Urban II: The pope who called for the First Crusade in 1095, urging Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.

Greco-Roman Cultural Loss

• Greco-Roman knowledge declined after Rome fell in 476 AD due to political instability and fragmentation.
• Centralized power was lost, meaning education, literature, and art were no longer maintained or advanced.
• Many texts were lost or destroyed during invasions, and survival became the main focus in a decentralized society.

Losses after Rome Fell

• Roman Roads: The road network deteriorated, making travel and communication difficult.
• Roman Law: The legal system fragmented and became disorganized.
• Architectural Techniques: Roman engineering techniques were lost, leading to a decline in large-scale building projects.

Rise of Christianity

• Christianity offered spiritual guidance and a sense of unity in fragmented Europe.
• The Church became the dominant institution, providing stability, moral authority, and education.
• The Church had significant political influence, with the Pope mediating disputes and exerting power over monarchs.

Charlemagne

• Charlemagne aimed to unite Western Europe under Christian rule and restore the Roman Empire's glory.
• He successfully expanded his empire and promoted learning and Christianity.
• His empire fragmented after his death.

Feudal System

• The feudal system maintained order and security in medieval Europe.
• Kings granted land to nobles for loyalty and military service.
• Nobles granted land to knights for protection.
• Peasants worked the land, providing food and labor in exchange for protection.

Manorial System

• Peasants provided labor, crops, and services to the lord, ensuring the lord's wealth and their survival.

Viking Raids

• Vikings raided Europe for resources, including land, wealth, and slaves.
• Overpopulation pushed them to seek new territories but their longships allowed them to launch surprise attacks.

Crusades

• The Crusades resulted in the temporary conquest of Jerusalem but ultimately failed to maintain control of the Holy Land.
• They led to increased trade, cultural exchange, and a weakening of the Byzantine Empire.

Black Death

• The Black Death killed about one-third of Europe's population.
• Labor shortages led to higher wages for surviving workers.
• The plague weakened feudalism and contributed to social and economic changes.

Architecture

• Romanesque Architecture featured thick walls, rounded arches, and small windows.
• Gothic Architecture was known for pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.
• Gothic architecture allowed for taller buildings and large windows, resulting in a vertical aesthetic.