The Early Middle Ages, 284--1000

Yale, , Prof. Paul Freedman

Updated On 02 Feb, 19

Overview

Course Introduction: Rome's Greatness and First Crises - The Crisis of the Third Century and the Diocletianic Reforms - Constantine and the Early Church -The Christian Roman Empire - St. Augustine's Confessions - Transformation of the Roman Empire - Barbarian Kingdoms - survival in the East - The Reign of Justinian - Clovis and the Franks - Frankish Society - Britain and Ireland-Monasticism - Mohammed and the Arab Conquests - Islamic Conquests and Civil War - The Early Middle Ages, 284 -1000: The Splendor of the Abbasid Period - The Crucial - Seventh Century - The Splendor of Byzantium - Charlemagne - Intellectuals and the Court of Charlemagne - Crisis of the Carolingians

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Lecture 10: Clovis and the Franks

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Lecture Details

The Early Middle Ages, 284--1000 (HIST 210)Professor Freedman begins his discussion of Gregory of Tours history of the Merovingian kings. This history differs markedly from the classical invective style used by Procopius. Gregory of Tours account seems more random by comparison and emphasizes the intervention of the supernatural in everyday life, particularly through the miracles of St. Martin of Tours. Gregory begins his account by showing how Clovis established Frankish hegemony and secured the prominence of the Franks in the post-Roman West. That the Franks were the first Catholic (as opposed to Arian) people among the barbarian invaders also figures heavily in his account. Professor Freedman ends the lecture with a discussion of Clovis sons, among whom Clovis had divided his empire. Despite their violent internecine conflicts,, Gregory of Tours considers them and their father to be appropriate rulers for savage times. 0000 - Chapter 1. Gregory of Tours and Procopius as historians0617 - Chapter 2. Gregory of Tours, the Author and his Writings1708 - Chapter 3. Gregory of Tours on the Franks2331 - Chapter 4. Clovis and Christianity3947 - Chapter 5. The Sons of ClovisComplete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website httpoyc.yale.eduThis course was recorded in Fall 2011.