The document summarizes key aspects of medieval Europe from the 9th to 11th centuries. It describes the Byzantine Empire, which continued Roman imperial rule but lost territory to attacks and split from the Catholic church. Society became more aristocratic and families gained power. It also covers early medieval Europe, describing a time of insecurity after Rome fell, the rise of self-sufficient manors and serfdom, and the growing prominence of knights and the system of lords and vassals with monarchs having little power.

1. Chapter 9 Pgs: 239-248 By: Group 1

2. Chapter Overview Covers Medieval Period Medieval-Literally “Middle Age” Also shows shift of focus in Europe from the Mediterranean to Northern and Eastern Europe Shift marked by the rise of the Carolingian Family to power Most well known Carolingian ruler, Charlemagne, was the first to bear the title of emperor in over 300 years

3. The Byzantine Empire Emperors established Christianity as the official religion Represented a continuation of Roman Imperial rule and tradition

4. 1. An Empire Beleaguered The Byzantine empire had a single-all powerful ruler who kept some resemblance of imperial law intact However, it did not maintain much territory due to attacks by the Arabs, Slavs, and Turks Christianity in the empire split from the Roman Catholic church over disputes between western princes and the Pope into what we now know as the Orthodox church-----Separation is called the Schism

5. 2. Society and Urban Life Byzantium suffered from the “plague of Justinian” aka. Bubonic Plague Other events caused a social reform that caused the increase in the use of barter, population loss, and the decrease of the local urban noble class This increased the importance of high ranking aristocrats and landlords Also led to the organization of power by families Women did not have a large public role, but could rule alongside their husbands

6. Artistic creativity flourished, as evidenced by the greatest Byzantine architectural monument, the Hagia Sophia. The Cyrillic alphabet was invented by two brothers from the Byzantine Empire

7. Early Medieval Europe The dissapearance of the legal Roman framework gave rise to the family based traditions of the Germanic peoples.

8. 1. The Time of Insecurity Charles Martel rose to power because of his success at the Battle of Tours. He started the the Carolingian dynasty. Two new enemies soon started to harass Western Europe, the Vikings and Varangians

9. 2. A Self-Sufficient Economy After Rome fell: Urban based civilization lost importance Trade across the Mediterranean all but stopped and most of Western Europe started to rely on meager local resources Local Germanic cultural traditions replaced Roman ones and self-sufficiency grew The heavy use of manors (self-sufficient farming estates) Serfs made up the majority of the population

10. 3. Early Medieval Society in the West Knights started gain prominence in the 11 th century Knights were paid with grants of land called fiefs Those who received fiefs were known as vassals Monarchs did not have much power Lords (owners of manors) provided local justice The Church was in charge of clergy Noblewomen had rights, but were mostly used for marriage alliances Could own property, perform farming tasks, and artisans