Notes 4/26

Roman emperor Constantine has a vision before a key battle, he orders troops to put a cross on their shield and
they win. Becomes Empire's official religion by 380 A.D. While Christianity strengthens, Rome weakens. The last Emperor is a
14-year-old boy named Romulus Augustulus in 476. The European Middle Ages lasted from 500-1500 A.D. This period had roots in classical Rome, Roman Catholicism, and the customs of Germanic tribes. Germanic invaders overran the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century and education greatly decreased. Small Germanic kingdoms arose in 400-600 and the Church survived to influence these leaders. Clovis brought Christianity to Gaul when he ruled the Franks. By 511, Clovis unites the Franks into 1 kingdom. Gregory I became Pope in 590 and the papacy became a worldly power. Charles Martel expanded the Frank kingdom and solidified Christian rule. Martel wins battle of Tours in 732 to fend off Muslim influence in Europe. Pepin the short took over power and started the Carolingian Dynasty. Once Pepin dies, Charlemagne rules the kingdom and expands the kingdom, reuniting Western Europe and spreading Christianity. In the late 11th century, Jerusalem was controlled by the Muslims. This is Islam's 3rd holiest city but it is also the Holy City to Jews and Christians. In 1093, Emperor Alexius Comnenus wrote a letter to Pope Urban II
encouraging the Christians to recapture the Holy City. This began 200 years of religious military campaigns. Crusade means "taking of the cross". "Soldiers of the Church" took vows to take back the Holy City and were promised immediate remission for their sins by the Pope. the Muslims end up fighting off the Christians after 200 years of back and forth fighting. Religious intolerance grows and Christians and Muslims increase the rift between them.