The Early Middle Ages, 284–1000
Major developments in the political, social, and religious history of Western Europe from the accession of Diocletian to the feudal transformation. Topics include the conversion of Europe to Christianity, the fall of the Roman Empire, the rise of Islam and the Arabs, the “Dark Ages,” Charlemagne and the Carolingian renaissance, and the Viking and Hungarian invasions.
This Yale College course, taught on campus two times per week for 50 minutes, was recorded for Open Yale Courses in Fall 2011.
Syllabus
Major developments in the political, social, and religious history of Western Europe from the accession of Diocletian to the feudal transformation. Topics include the conversion of Europe to Christianity, the fall of the Roman Empire, the rise of Islam and the Arabs, the “Dark Ages,” Charlemagne and the Carolingian renaissance, and the Viking and Hungarian invasions.
Central Texts
Charlemagne’s Courtier: The Complete Einhard. ed. Paul Edward Dutton, Broadview Press, 1998.
Gregory of Tours: The Merovingians. ed. Alexander Callander Murray, Broadview Press, 2006.
Procopius, The Secret History. ed. Richard Atwater, University of Michigan Press, 1961.
Wickham, Chris, The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000. Viking, 2009.
Richards, Julian, The Vikings: A Very Short History. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Course Packet
Augustine, Confessions, ed. James Joseph O’Donnell. Oxford University Press, 1992.
Berkey, Jonathan Porter, The Formation of Islam: Religion and Society in the Near East, 600-1800. Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Brown, Peter, The World of Late Antiquity: AD 150-750. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1971.
The Burgundian Code: Book of Constitutions or Law of Gundobad, ed. Katherine Fischer Drew. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1972.
Fichtenau, Heinrich, The Carolingian Empire. Blackwelll, 1957.
Jones, A.H.M., Constantine and the Conversion of Europe. English Universities Press, 1948.
Rule of St. Benedict, ed. Ruth J. Dean. Blackwell, 1964.
Short paper, mid-term exam, and long research paper.
Short paper: 20%
Mid-term exam: 30%
Long research paper: 40%
Sessions
| Lecture 1 | Course Introduction: Rome’s Greatness and First Crises |
| Lecture 2 | The Crisis of the Third Century and the Diocletianic Reforms |
| Lecture 3 | Constantine and the Early Church |
| Lecture 4 | The Christian Roman Empire |
| Lecture 5 | St. Augustine’s Confessions |
| Lecture 6 | Transformation of the Roman Empire |
| Lecture 7 | Barbarian Kingdoms |
| Lecture 8 | Survival in the East |
| Lecture 9 | The Reign of Justinian |
| Lecture 10 | Clovis and the Franks |
| Lecture 11 | Frankish Society |
| Lecture 12 | Britain and Ireland |
| Lecture 13 | Monasticism |
| Lecture 14 | Mohammed and the Arab Conquests |
| Lecture 15 | Islamic Conquests and Civil War |
| Lecture 16 | The Splendor of the Abbasid Period |
| Lecture 17 | The Crucial Seventh Century |
| Lecture 18 | The Splendor of Byzantium |
| Lecture 19 | Charlemagne |
| Lecture 20 | Intellectuals and the Court of Charlemagne |
| Lecture 21 | Crisis of the Carolingians |
| Lecture 22 | Vikings / The European Prospect, 1000 |
This Open Yale Course is accompanied by a book published by Yale University Press.