[英语学习]The Middle Ages.ppt

The Middle Ages The beginning…Early Middle Ages Decline of Roman Empire Rise of Northern Europe New forms of government Heavy “Romanization” (religion, language, laws, architecture, government) Latin- “medium aevum” means “middle age” and is source of English word “medieval” Early Middle Ages Dark Ages (500 CE- 1000 CE)- scholars named this as a time when the forces of darkness (barbarians) overwhelmed the forces of light (Romans)  Rise of influence of barbarians as Roman Emperors had granted barbarian mercenaries land with the Roman Empire in return for military service and it was these barbarians who eventually became the new rulers Warriors and Warbands in the West Period of change in Western Europe as barbarians were migrating in to areas given up by Romans As more barbarians moved westward, other tribes were forced to move Groups categorized by languages and little else Celtic: Gauls, Britons, Bretons Germanic: Goths, Frank, Vandals, Saxons Slavic: Wends From Rome to Constantinople Constantinople  (former city of Byzantium) became new capital and control centre for Roman Empire Was largest city by population in the world west of China Strategic location on trade routes One of largest natural harbours in the world linked the east and west Byzantine gold coin (bezant) was the main currency of international trade Ruled provinces by Roman model (governors, bureaucracy and imperial army, heavy taxation and favouring of royal family and priests in trade and taxes Expanding Influence of the Church Christian Church has become an important political, economic, spiritual and cultural force in Europe Leading officials of Church were the Pope and Patriarch Banning of heresy (holding beliefs that contradict the official religion) conversion by force Eventually in 11th Century, Church split into two independent branches Eastern Orthodox (Greek) based in Constantinople and Roman Catholic in Rome You scratch my back… I’ll scratch yours…. Church was granted favour