Medieval History: Byzantine, Islamic, and Carolingian Eras

The Middle Ages: From Rome to the 15th Century

The Middle Ages began in 476 with the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire and ended in the 15th century with the fall of the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Christian culture was emphasized by the Byzantine and Carolingian Empires, while Muslim culture spread west to North Africa and much of the Iberian Peninsula following the teachings of Muhammad.

The Byzantine Empire

Justinian the Great concentrated his efforts on the recovery of lost territories: Italy from the Goths, North Africa from the Vandals, and the south and southeast of the Iberian Peninsula from the Visigoths.

Byzantine Organization

• Centralized Power: Political and military authority were unified.
• Religious Control: The Emperor held supreme religious authority.
• Administration: Sound and efficient governance supported by a powerful army and mercenary forces.

The Frankish Kingdom

The Franks, a Germanic people, settled in Gaul after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The region was governed by various warlords until Clovis unified the Romans, Gauls, and Franks, defeating the Visigoths in the Battle of Vouillé.

The Mayors of the Palace

During the 7th century, the successors of Clovis delegated government affairs to the mayors of the palace, who were instrumental in halting the expansion of Islam into the rest of Europe.

Islamic Administration

• Caliph: The religious leader of the Islamic world and highest authority; organized central and territorial administrations and justice.
• The Vizier: The prime minister who headed central administration and finance.
• The Emirs: Governors of the provinces into which the conquered territory was divided.

The Carolingian Dynasty

Pepin the Short established the Carolingian dynasty in the 8th century.

Imperial Administration

• The Court: Directed by the chamberlain, the earl (military leader), the chancellor (document drafting), the count of the palace (acting for the Emperor), and the archchaplain (religious administration).
• Territorial Administration: Counties were ruled by a count with military, administrative, and judicial powers.
• The Marks: Defensive zones in border areas, such as the Marca Hispanica, were administered by a duke.

Carolingian Art

Carolingian art represented a return to the classical styles of Greece and Rome, while also incorporating Byzantine and Islamic influences.

The Foundations of Islam

Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca in 570. According to tradition, the archangel Gabriel appeared to him and ordered him to preach the religion of Allah. The teachings of Muhammad are recorded in the Koran, the holy book of Muslims, which contains 114 chapters called surahs.

The Five Pillars of Islam

1. Faith: Believe in one God, Allah, and his prophet, Muhammad.
2. Prayer: Pray at least five times a day facing Mecca.
3. Almsgiving: Give alms to the needy.
4. Fasting: Fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
5. Pilgrimage: Make a pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city, at least once in a lifetime.