• 1/8 Focus:1/8 Focus:– The Christian church helped to unify The Christian church helped to unify

western Europe after the collapse of western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire. the Roman Empire.

• Important Terms: Important Terms: – Papal, Secular, ExcommunicatePapal, Secular, Excommunicate

• Do Now:Do Now:– Identify one effect that the fall of Rome and Identify one effect that the fall of Rome and

invasions by Germanic tribes had on invasions by Germanic tribes had on western Europe?western Europe?

The Middle Ages

Germanic Kingdoms The Power of the Church

The Church in the Middle The Church in the Middle AgesAges

• Two major Christian Churches –Orthodox

Christian Church • Byzantine

–Roman Catholic Church•Western Europe

The Church in the Middle The Church in the Middle AgesAges

• Catholic Church led by a pope based out of Rome – Papacy; Papal – Believed by

followers to be the spiritual representative of Jesus on Earth

The Church in the Middle The Church in the Middle AgesAges

• Catholic church provided order and security after the fall of Rome– Served the spiritual

needs of followers – Became a powerful

political force• Had authority over

powerful rulers

Nuns and MonksNuns and Monks• Devoted their life

to prayer and good works

• Lived in monasteries or convents – Religious

communities– Had to follow

strict rules • Benedictine rule

Nuns and Monks• Took an oath of

poverty• Provided social

support to communities– Helped the sick and

the poor– Educated children

• Preserved ancient writings by copying Greek and Roman texts

A Medieval MonkA Medieval Monk’’s Days Day

Nuns and Monks• Missionaries – Worked to

convert Germanic tribes and Celts in Britain

– Example: St. Patrick setup the church in Ireland

Economic Power of the Church• Church required

Christians to pay a tithe – Tax – Required to pay 10% of

income• Church became very

wealthy • Became the largest

landholder in Europe

Political Power of the Church

• Church had its own laws and courts– Canon Law

• Claimed authority over secular rulers– Secular= not having to

do with religion– Could excommunicate

rulers who did not obey the church

– Banned from the church

Role of the Church in Everyday Life

• Church provided spiritual protection in exchange for land, protection and crops

• Christians attended village churches led by priests (clergy)

Points for Discussion• What role did the Church play in

Western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire?

• What was excommunication?