The Early Middle Ages, 284--1000

Lecture Details

The Early Middle Ages, 284--1000 (HIST 210)In this lecture, Professor Freedman considers the various barbarian kingdoms that replaced the Western Roman Empire. Oringinally the Roman reaction to these invaders had been to accommodate them, often recruiting them for the Roman army and settling them on Roman land. Now, however, they were the rulers of the previously Roman lands of the West. These tribes included the Ostrogoths and Visigoths in Italy, the Franks in Gaul, and the Vandals in North Africa. As most sources about these groups come from the Roman perspective, its unclear how coherent each group was. In general, the barbarian groups characterized by disorganization, internal fighting and internecine feuds, and lack of economic development. Professor Freedman closes with some remarks on the Burgundian Code as evidence of barbarian society and institutions.0000 - Chapter 1. Introduction 0448 - Chapter 2. Tacitus and the Nature of the Barbarian Tribes2030 - Chapter 3. The Barbardian Kingdoms2642 - Chapter 4. Intellectual Life after the Fall of Rome3458 - Chapter 5. The Barbarian Tribes Vandals, Moors, Angles, Saxons, and Visigoths3940 - Chapter 6. The Burgundians and the Burgundian CodeComplete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website httpoyc.yale.eduThis course was recorded in Fall 2011.