Roman Empire
What language did the Romans spread across Europe?
Latin
In a centralized government, who holds most of the power?
One central authority, like an emperor
What does "nomadic" mean?
Moving from place to place instead of settling
About what years were the early Middle Ages?
About 500 to 1000 CE
Charlemagne was king of which group?
The Franks
The Roman Empire was centered around which sea?
The Mediterranean
Charlemagne appointed nobles to rule local regions. What did he give them in return for their support and soldiers?
Land
Why did many nomadic groups move from place to place?
To find food, water, or grazing land for their animals
Did trade and towns grow or shrink after Rome fell?
Shrink
In what year was Charlemagne crowned emperor?
800 CE
Name one thing Rome spread that tied its territories together
Roads, Christianity, Roman law, classical ideas
Charlemagne ordered that his new silver coins be accepted everywhere in his empire. How does this show centralized government?
One ruler set the same rule for the whole empire
Ammianus Marcellinus wrote that this group had no fixed homes, never plowed a field, and seemed glued to their horses. Who?
The Huns
Which institution preserved learning during this period?
The Church (monasteries)
Who crowned Charlemagne emperor?
Pope Leo III
When did the Western Roman Empire fall?
476 CE
What were the officials called that Charlemagne sent to check on local rulers?
Missi dominici
Agathias wrote that this group was not nomadic and followed Roman-style government and laws. Who?
The Franks
Before Charlemagne's coin reform, money had mostly disappeared. How did people get what they needed?
Farming for themselves, trading goods, paying lords in goods
According to Einhard, what skill did Charlemagne struggle to learn?
Writing
Which groups of people ended Roman rule in the West?
Germanic peoples (tribes)
After Charlemagne's empire broke apart, why did power shift to local lords under feudalism?
Kings were too weak to protect people from invaders, so people turned to local lords
Ammianus and Agathias both came from farming societies with big cities. How did that shape the way they judged these groups?
They saw settled, law-following people as civilized and nomads as savage
Name one thing Charlemagne did that challenges the idea that this period was completely "dark."
Revived learning (palace school, Alcuin, copying manuscripts), or revived trade with his new coins
Einhard was Charlemagne's friend and biographer. Why should we be careful trusting his account?
He may be biased in Charlemagne's favor