CHAPTER ONE - THE "BARBARIAN" WEST

THE MIDDLE AGES

Over the next two Units, we continue tracing the story of the emergence of Western culture.  Rather than break this discussion up based on chronology (turning to other societies during the 1st millennium CE/AD), we continue with this theme of "Western culture", picking up with the fall of Rome and tracing through to the development of Early Modern Europe. Then for the rest of the course, we concentrate on developments of civilizations and religious traditions in Asia, the Near East, Africa and the Americas during these same centuries.

Last Unit, we covered (briefly!) the fall of the Roman empire.  This massive collapse left a power vacuum in the regions of Western and Central (West/Cen) Europe, and the Western Mediterranean.  While the Eastern Roman Empire continued (in the form of the Byzantine empire), West/Cen Europe entered a centuries-long period of violence and instability. By the end of this turbulent period, we can identify characteristics of an identifiable "European" civilization. Thus, key features of ‘European’ civilization emerged during this turbulent period 500 - 1500 CE.  This formative thousand year period, initiated by the collapse of Rome and the Classical age (around 500 AD/CE) and which ended with the creation of modern states and societies in the 1400's and 1500's is called the Middle Ages, also the "Medieval Age" or more negatively the Dark Ages.

 

Although obvious hardships and suffering took place, recognize the Middle Ages did contribute significantly to the formation of modern European ("Western") civilization.  By the time Early Modern Europe recovered and recreated political stability, and underwent cultural and intellectual revival (the Renaissance) in the 1400's - 1500's, several influential political, social, economic and cultural traditions had taken root.  Many legacies from this Medieval period are still prominent and evident today in Western society.

Historians generally divide the Medieval age of European emergence and development into four periods:

  • Early Middle Ages (circa 500 - 900)
  • Central Middle Ages (900-1100)
  • High Middle Ages (1100-1300)
  • Late Middle Ages (1300 - 1500)

 

This week we look at the Early, Central and High Middle Ages. Next week, we finish the story of emerging European civilization by focusing on the crises and accomplishments of the Late Middle Ages.

Recognize, when talking historically about the Middle Ages, there were obvious and important regional differences in experience and development.  As with so many topics in world history, there is a danger of making generalizations that are too broad and simplistic.  In fact, it might surprise you to learn that one of the most dynamic fields in European history is Medieval history!  Many of the generalizations and conclusions taught and written in textbooks for decades are now being seriously questioned and reconsidered.  In particular, scholars are emphasizing the need to move away from a picture of the Medieval world which is too simplistic, too grim, too negative.   Current scholars also increasingly emphasize the many differences between regions. The Medieval experience during the Middle Ages for someone in the south of England, for example was different from someone in the south of Italy, or an eastern German region. It is important to keep in mind these "warnings" about over-generalization. In a World Civilizations course, however, we can and must be content to identify some common patterns and experiences of Medieval Europe, and note how these influences contributed to the formation of a distinctive European culture

During these Middle Ages, after the collapse of Roman imperial control, West/Cen European regions endured tremendous political instability. The collapse of effective central control, and the failure of others to fill that power vacuum, resulted in a long period of local, divided leadership - we refer to this political situation as feudal.   Feudalism - a term used to describe such a situation in many civilizations in the past - is when there is no effective central or state control; local leaders (often warlords) privately control laws, military power, and economics.  Different civilizations have suffered through feudal fragmentation, for example China before the First Emperor, and Japan for several centuries in its history (which we discuss in a few weeks.)  The European feudal period lasted for centuries; how Europeans responded to and survived during this period of turbulence deeply influenced all later developments in modern European culture, social relations and politics.

BLEND OF CULTURES 

The first contributing tradition which produced "European" civilization we covered over the past few weeks - the Greco-Roman heritage, the classical world.  The Roman Empire conquered and controlled the regions of Gaul (central Europe and Western Europe), Britannia (the British Isles) and Iberia (Spain) for centuries.  Roman imperial control introduced the knowledge and culture of the ancient Mediterranean world into these areas, for example Roman traditions in law and engineering, the Latin language, and of course Christianity, brought into European territories by Roman soldiers, officials and merchants. (see map)

As migrants from the Mediterranean world moved into the northern regions of Europe, the tribal peoples living there were exposed to Roman and Greek literature, philosophy, architecture and political ideas. Even though some of this knowledge, and in particular many written works, were lost or nearly forgotten during the violence and upheaval which followed Roman collapse in the West, this classical foundation for later European development was securely laid. In later centuries, when Europeans wanted to renew their intellectual and artistic traditions, they turned to the knowledge and roots of ancient Greece and Rome traced back to the time of Roman rule.

However, during the Middle Ages, the second major contributing force in European history and culture became dominant - the culture of tribal peoples who inhabited Europe before, during, and after the Roman expansion.(see map) Romans referred to these tribal peoples as "barbarians."  In fact, they were far from "uncivilized"; these tribal groups possessed important social and political traditions that were a significant part of the developing culture in Europe. When Roman control collapsed, it was tribal leaders who took power and attempted to create a stable political and social order.  We need to look briefly at these tribal groups; they are as much the creators of Europe as the Greeks and Romans.  To put it simply, European / Western civilization was born out of the marriage and fusion of classical Mediterranean culture and the tribal "barbarian" cultures of Europe.

GERMANIC TRIBES

There were many tribal peoples who lived or migrated into West/Cen Europe - to discuss all of them would take an entire semester!  Many different groups were already established in Europe at the time Julius Caesar invaded this region.  Many more tribes migrated into Europe during the period of Roman control. As the Roman empire declined in the 4th and 5th centuries, new tribal peoples were still migrating into this region. (see map)

Several of these northern tribes are grouped together as "Germanic" peoples based on their shared language characteristics.  Germanic tribes included the Angles and Saxons, who later merged to become the Anglo-Saxon peoples of Northern France and the British Isles.  Another group, the Franks, settled in what is today Northern France and Germany.  The Franks played a critical role in the development of Europe.  In addition to the many Germanic tribes, other peoples in the north included the Picts in Scotland, and the widespread Celts who lived throughout the British Isles, and also had settlements in northern France. In the Southern regions of Europe were tribes such as the Burgundians, the Lombards, the Ostrogoths and Visogoths (Eastern and Western Goths.)

As a result of centuries of Roman control in these regions, some influences from Greco-Roman culture took root among these tribes.  By the 5th century CE, Christianity had spread throughout Europe; tribal peoples converted from their native polytheistic and animistic beliefs to monotheism.  Many tribal peoples became assimilated into the Roman empire; some even joined the Roman Army as mercenary soldiers. Despite these Mediterranean influences, however, European tribal peoples maintained many of their traditions, their local languages and dialects and their social/political traditions.  It was these traditions that became prominent and influential in European development after the 6th century CE.

TRIBAL CUSTOMS

These various tribes had differing customs and local languages. Recognize, these tribal differences strongly contributed to the cultural and national divisions in later European countries. There were, however, shared elements among these tribes. First and foremost, tribal societies shared an emphasis on bloodline and kinship.  Blood ties and lineage were the primary defining features in society - it was the basis of their identity and loyalty.  European tribes-people were more informal in their structure, basing social and political life on the bonds of family and bloodline.

A common feature among the Germanic tribes in the north and other tribal cultures in the southern regions of Europe was the militaristic emphasis. Tribes were dominated by a warrior elite, led by tribal chiefs who based their power on their military prowess and their ability to command the respect and loyalty of the tribal warriors. Qualities such as military ability, strength, courage and loyalty in battle were the most valued and admired qualities. This militaristic emphasis and these kinds of martial values profoundly impacted continued development in Europe.

A key tribal tradition, one which deeply influenced Middle Ages culture, was the structure provided by reciprocal relationships in the tribe.  Leadership and order in the tribe was sustained through personal and individual obligations between members of the tribe - in particular the trust and duties owed by chiefs and warriors to each other.  Tribal chiefs ruled based on the support of the warrior elite in the tribe; and they in turn shared status, power and wealth with this military elite. We see the echo of this reciprocal relationship throughout the entire feudal period.

Another important feature to recognize was that although these groups were tribal in nature, most were not nomadic. In particular, the Germanic tribes and Goths were land owners; land possession was actually an important measure of wealth and status in these tribal cultures. Battles and wars between different tribes were fought over land and to gain territory. The reward for victorious warriors was often a piece of captured land. This emphasis on land ownership remained a fundamental part of Middle Ages culture. 

For several centuries following the collapse of the Roman Empire, European political leadership and culture strongly reflected the traditions and priorities of these tribal peoples, as we outline in the next few chapters. 

Interesting Related Web Sites

Anglo-Saxon Chronicles
The Celts
Celtic Connections
History of the Britons
History of the Goths

 

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