MMW 12 Chapter Notes - Chapter Christianizing Rome: Pastoralism, Western Roman Empire
20 Jan 2017
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Visigoths capture rome in 410: considered barbarians. Barbarians, according to historians, are people who spoke a variety of languages. Migrating barbarians combine with christian customs to form new societies but have similar social, economic, and political structures: franks emerge as a strong and influential force from this. Wealth and social status indicated by possessions, such as number of cattle. Society was patriarchal: father was authority. Political unit == tribe/ confederation: consisted of members believing to be descended from a common ancestor, led by chieftains. Gained more power after conquering western roman empire. War band (comitatus) was associated with chief in some tribes: stratified ranks, warriors gained land as mark of their power inequalities grow and explain origins of. Law codes designed to reduce interpersonal violence: crime involving personal harm meant paying a fee. 100 ce barbarians move south and east: roman armies try to defend their borders, but have to recruit barbarians due to lack of troops.
