HIS 1122 Lecture 1: Rome's Three Heirs-Western Christian Civilization
Document Summary
Compared to byzantine and islamic civilization, western european civilization, during the early middle ages (600-1050), was a laggard. A 0th century arab geographer observed that europeans: have large bodies, gross natures, harsh manners, and dull intellects those who live farthest north are particularly stupid, gross and brutish. On one hand, the arab geographer had a point. Material conditions were so primitive in the west during this era that one can almost say that these peoples were camping out for 500 years. At the same time, the new parameters of civilization in the west were being laid during this era. This was especially true in the north atlantic region. Around 800 the frankish monarchy in nw europe created an empire in alliance with the western christian church. Although this empire did not last long, its unity was nonetheless a sign of things to come.
