The Dark Ages Today s Title: The Dark Ages Today s EQ: Why were the Dark Ages considered dark?
Think back What led to the fall of this massive Roman Empire? What do you think happened to the rest of Europe after the rest of the empire collapsed? What would life be like for those people?
Question? You and your family have decided to remain behind in Western Europe after the fall of Rome. You no longer have protection from Roman soldiers or government. List 3 things your family will need in order to survive. Explain how each of them will be used.
Western Rome Falls As you know, there are many reasons why the Roman civilization declined. After the empire was split in half, the Eastern half thrived on as the Byzantine, while Western Rome continued a downward spiral and was sectioned off by barbarian tribes (see map). What was daily life like for those people left behind in the west?
What is going on in Western Rome? The city after 476 was devastated for the next 400 years. At its height, Rome counted 1,000,000 people, and it fell down to less than 50,000. Population shifts: Cities were abandoned and people fled to the countryside. Here they could grow their own food. This caused cities to fall and no more trade. Now the population of Western Europe was mostly rural (country) instead of urban (city). Barbarians were everywhere: in the south the Visigoths, in the north Longobards (meaning 'long beards').
Government When the empire fell there was period of anarchy, or no central government. Think about what governments do, or why they are needed. They provide leadership, laws, and peace and order. They give guidelines for people to follow and help keep them safe. How will this affect Europe as a whole? What would it be like with no government or laws now? The Dark Ages are ushered into Europe
Economy Rome's economy was based on transfers from the provinces, so once it had to rely on itself it completely fell apart. War, plague and famine were common and ravaged the countryside for decades. Trade was disrupted because merchants faced invasions from both land and sea. Their businesses collapsed and Rome s cities were no longer economic centers. Money became scarce
Daily Life and Struggles This period of time can be called the Middle Ages, but can also be known as the Dark Ages for the people of Rome. Eventually, a system called Feudalism was developed: a social class system that provided land and protection during the Middle Ages that depended on loyalty due to constant invasions and insecurity. But until then, life was very unsafe and chaotic for the people of Rome.
Education The fall of Rome also marked the death of education and literacy, sophisticated architecture, advanced economic interaction, and, not least, the rule of written law. The Germanic invaders could not read or write. The previous people of Rome had fled to the countryside. No one attended school. Learning sank sharply. The only places learning and literature still existed were among priests and other church officials. If not for them, all learning would have been lost. The 'dark ages' which followed were dark not only because written sources were few and far between, but because life became nasty, brutish and short.
Language As German-speaking people mixed with the Roman population, Latin began to change. Different dialects (or versions of a language) developed as new words and phrases became part of everyday speech. By the 800 s, languages like French and Spanish had evolved or been created from the changes that had occurred. The fact that everyone no longer spoke the same language, also contributed to the breakup of a once unified empire.
Would Rome be great ever again? Justinian the Great of Byzanthium was able to reconquer the south and center of Italy and free Rome, but the so-called Greek-Gothic war raged for 18 years and destroyed much around Rome. It was in those centuries that around Rome the power of the church started to emerge and consolidate thanks to donations. Parcel of land after parcel of land, the church started to amass riches and wealth, becoming a power in itself. Italy would not be freed of barbarians until Charlemagne, who was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in the year 800.
Government Military Economy/Trade The Dark Ages Of Western Rome. 500-1000AD General Information
Government Power vacuum Remote areas began to govern themselves Punishment for trivial acts of breaking the law: hanging as punishment Many minor warring kingdoms Europe became a collection of small parcels of land each ruled by their own Lord No longer was there a single government authority Kings/Lord were illiterate Economy/Trade Used land for farming Hard times Did not rely on others; self-sufficient within their manor Economy slows, almost goes backwards Very few advancements Travel was not safe: no trade & shipping The Dark Ages Of Western Rome. 500-1000AD Military Barbarians invaded, splitting Western Rome into many different sections It was unsafe for most people, no government or laws to enforce and keep them safe Barbarians everywhere, people fled to countryside General Information Constant warfare Advancements stopped and went backwards Death all around- average life expectancy was 35 Roads crumbled due to no money & maintenance Villages were fortified