The origins of ‘Christendom’expansion and integration of secular Empire• Roman occupation of increasingly remote

areasGaul, Germany, Britain, Spain

• coordination of crop production, transport of natural resources

• developed infrastructure, cities emerge [paved roads, postal system

Pax Romana

Belief and Roman Society• polytheistic

• ready absorption of gods from other cultures, except Masada

• Judaism: monotheisticJewish governance; crushed in Jewish Wars, 70CE

• other religious sects: teacher named JesusRomans feared rebellion and executed himfollowers believed divinity and resurrectioncalled the ‘Christ’ - the anointed onepersecuted until after 325, Council of Nicea

• split – Constantinople vs. Rome

‘Christendom’: successors to the Roman EmpireDivisive factors:

growth of secular states c.800lack of strong central governments

Unifying factors:faith (the idea)monasteries (the institution)landholders to 1250social welfare – inns, orphans, hospiceeducation

c. 500

State and Society:feudalism

The Three Estatesthose who pray: clergythose who fight: knightsthose who work: peasants

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

800 CE 1000 1100 1200 1300 CE

Millions

and…development of arable landsminimized threat of invading nomadsclearing of swamps, forestsimproved agricultural techniques

- crop rotation and new crops - horseshoes and collars (horses faster than oxen)

Stable societies: resources to change and grow1. Growth of manufacturing 2. Reconquista –

a commercial economy 1060s-1492trade Islamic states displaced from Europe

3. Crusades * shapes nature of contact *to capture Jerusalem1096-mid13C

Overall of note:The geography, topography of the society:

• how has that impacted its development and structure, its homogeneity or multi-ethnicity

• how has that shaped relations between it and other groups

The overall organization of the society: • model of leadership• social structure• what positions/roles are valued in society

The philosophic/spiritual principles of the society:unique

similarities