MMW 12 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Reward System, Barter, W. M. Keck Observatory

• School: UCSD
• Department: Making of the Modern World
• Course: MMW 12
• Professor: Janet Smarr

Document Summary

Tribal invasions and emperors" move to constantinople political fragmentation of. Lack of security (constant warfare) + lack of mobility (serfdom) and shortage of currency. Ruin of commerce; local subsistence, low population. Lack of education, illiteracy, loss of knowledge. Trades being developed locally never get distributed. Failing economy with illiteracy made it worse. Not even all the clergy were literate. Expansion of islamic empire cuts off med trade: goods --> unavailable. Made it difficult for other europeans to trade across the mediterranean . No gold shortage of currency (people turned to barter) Papyrus - used parchment in books (very expensive) 150 pages = 1 dozen sheepskin to make. Libraries - term used to describe chest/room to hold books (normally locked) Merchant class disappeared because commerce was difficult without trade and roads. Cities disappeared (no urban life, business, law courts) No way to enforce loyalty other than to offer some booty.