Franks and Merovingians Research Paper
The Franks and Merovingians: Laying the Foundations for Future European Empires
Henry Lilly
May 16th, 2011
The Roman Empire represented the culmination of the Mediterranean World. The Roman Empire reached its peak under the rule of the famous Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar. The Roman Empire extended its borders throughout Europe, to present day France, Italy, Great Britain, and Germany. However, their collapse in 476 AD was caused by distraction to an internal problem, which led to the ignorance of invading barbarians. Thus the Roman Empire fell to the hands of Germanic Tribes. As time shifted, a new wave of ideas and concepts traveled throughout Europe, causing a shift in the arts and architecture, and the way societies were built. During the Medieval Age, Europe faced many issues, but gave birth to many successful leaders and civilizations that effect today’s nations. Medieval Europe began with Feudal-war based societies, which were created for protection. Also came Manorialism, which contained peasants working for their lords, on large Manor houses. Medieval Europe is often viewed as a Dark Age, because two disastrous diseases spread throughout the land. They were The Plague, which killed about ten percent of the population, and the Black Death, which was even more devastating, killing fifty to sixty percent of the population. A Germanic Tribe that came to be the most successful tribe of them all was the Franks, originating from Gaul. Gaul was previously under Roman rule, and still contained many of their famous innovations, which helped the Franks expand their borders. The Franks were governed by a family, named the Merovingian Dynasty. “The Merovingians came to power because of their leadership and desire to be the best at every aspect of life.” (Bernard S. Bachrach, 1972) A famous Merovingian leader was Clovis, founder of the Merovingians. As Merovingian rule died out, a new family of royalty came to power
Henry Lilly
May 16th, 2011
The Roman Empire represented the culmination of the Mediterranean World. The Roman Empire reached its peak under the rule of the famous Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar. The Roman Empire extended its borders throughout Europe, to present day France, Italy, Great Britain, and Germany. However, their collapse in 476 AD was caused by distraction to an internal problem, which led to the ignorance of invading barbarians. Thus the Roman Empire fell to the hands of Germanic Tribes. As time shifted, a new wave of ideas and concepts traveled throughout Europe, causing a shift in the arts and architecture, and the way societies were built. During the Medieval Age, Europe faced many issues, but gave birth to many successful leaders and civilizations that effect today’s nations. Medieval Europe began with Feudal-war based societies, which were created for protection. Also came Manorialism, which contained peasants working for their lords, on large Manor houses. Medieval Europe is often viewed as a Dark Age, because two disastrous diseases spread throughout the land. They were The Plague, which killed about ten percent of the population, and the Black Death, which was even more devastating, killing fifty to sixty percent of the population. A Germanic Tribe that came to be the most successful tribe of them all was the Franks, originating from Gaul. Gaul was previously under Roman rule, and still contained many of their famous innovations, which helped the Franks expand their borders. The Franks were governed by a family, named the Merovingian Dynasty. “The Merovingians came to power because of their leadership and desire to be the best at every aspect of life.” (Bernard S. Bachrach, 1972) A famous Merovingian leader was Clovis, founder of the Merovingians. As Merovingian rule died out, a new family of royalty came to power