Intro to the Middle Ages
Understanding Terms
• Medieval?
Understanding Terms
• Medieval– Comes from Latin, medium aevum
– …of, relating to, or characteristic of the Middle Ages…
– Exhibiting the severity or illiberality ascribed to a former age; cruel, barbarous.
– U.S. to get medieval : to use violence or extreme measures on, to become aggressive.
Understanding Terms
• Medieval
• Why do they call it Middle Ages?
Understanding Terms
• Medieval
• Why do they call it Middle Ages?
• A Backward-Looking Construct
Understanding Terms
• Medieval
• Why do they call it Middle Ages?
• A Backward-Looking Construct– During the Middle Ages
Understanding Terms
• Medieval
• Why do they call it Middle Ages?
• A Backward-Looking Construct– During the Middle Ages– Birth of an idea
Understanding Terms
• Medieval• Why do they call it Middle Ages?• A Backward-Looking Construct
– During the Middle Ages– Birth of an idea– Connotations…
• Protestant Reformation
• Enlightenment
• Today
As Historians
• Decentralized Political Structure
• Christianity
• Decline and Revival of Trade
• Evolution (Transformation?) of an Economic System
Periodization
• Part I – Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages): 500-1000– Late Antiquity: 300-800 – Reconciling
Periodization
• Part I – Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages): 500-1000– Late Antiquity: 300-800 – Reconciling
• Part II, High Middle Ages: 1000-1300
• Part III, Late Middle Ages: 1300-1500
Continuity into EMA
• Romanized Barbarians
Continuity into EMA
• Romanized Barbarians
• Embrace Roman Customs
• Continued growth of Christian Church
• Continued Social Structure
Decline/Change in EMA
• Political Decentralizaton
Decline/Change in EMA
• Political Decentralizaton
• Depopulation
Decline/Change in EMA
• Political Decentralizaton
• Depopulation
• Decline of Cities
Decline/Change in EMA
• Political Decentralizaton
• Depopulation
• Decline of Cities
• Decline of Intellectual Activity
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:
Getting goods to market?
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Role of the imperial govt?
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade Econ. Impact of legions?
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
Size of the consumer mkt?
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
a
How do we know?•Coins•Roof Tiles•Pottery
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
a
How do we know?•Coins•Roof Tiles•Pottery
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses?
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Impact on another part of
the emp’s econ?
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Most obvious effect?
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Econ. Impact as army
dissolves?
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s
Italy no longer getting imper. taxes
When gov fails?
W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Econ. impact of lost N. prov’s?
Italy no longer getting imper. taxes
No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade
W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade
W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s
Italy no longer getting imper. taxes
No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s
Italy no longer getting imper. taxes
No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade
Plague + Persian, Slav, Avar, & Arab
attacks (FC.44)
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s
Italy no longer getting imper. taxes
No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade
W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:
Plague + Persian, Slav, Avar, & Arab
attacks (FC.44)
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
Lost markets in W. Mediterranean
Lost provinces, trade & taxes
Aegean econ’s after 600 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
FC.41.1 THE COLLAPSE OF ROME’S “GLOBAL” ECONOMY (c.400-700)Peaceful conditions of Pax Romana (FC.33)
Skilled specialized labor mass producing excellent but cheap goods
Thriving trade & highly specialized & interdependent econ. based on:Sophist. network of transp. & trade
to move & distribute goods
A large & wide-spread consumer mkt.
Imp. Gov. Coins, rds, etc. to sustain trade
Imp. Gov.pays legions in N frontier provinces Stimulates their econ.
Lost resources & mkts in N. prov’s
Italy no longer getting imper. taxes
No imperial govt. to maintain roads & protect trade
W. Med. econ. after 500 due to:
Plague + Persian, Slav, Avar, & Arab
attacks (FC.44)
Lost imp. $ as army dissolves
Violence & turmoil disrupt trade
N. prov. econ’s after 400 due to:
Lost markets in W. Mediterranean
Lost provinces, trade & taxes
Aegean econ’s after 600 due to:
German. invasions in W Emp after 400
(FC.36)
Weakens the whole economy & its indiv. parts needing that
area’s goods & mkts
When 1 area in the empire’s highly specialized & interdependent economic system collapses
Collapse of part of the empire’s highly specialized &
interdependent econ.
a
Collapse of political order in W. Europe after 800 (FC.41)
Conclusion
• Political and Economic Disintegration– Atomized Society– Margins of World History
• New Center of Mass