Los REINOS GERMÁNICOS ⚔ - Resumen | Visigodos, Ostrogodos, Francos y Anglosajones

The Decline of the Roman Empire and the Rise of Germanic Kingdoms

The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

• During the 4th century AD, the Roman Empire faced significant challenges, including power struggles, economic crises, and invasions by Germanic tribes.

• Emperor Theodosius decided to divide the empire into two territories: the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. However, this division did not resolve existing issues.

• By the 5th century, the Western Roman Empire collapsed, leading to the formation of various Germanic kingdoms in Western Europe.

Emergence of Germanic Kingdoms

The Ostrogothic Kingdom

• One notable Germanic kingdom was that of the Ostrogoths, which spanned modern-day Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia.

• The Ostrogoth leader Theodoric defeated Odoacer's forces in Italy but acted against Emperor Zeno's wishes by declaring himself ruler.

• A dual political system emerged where Romans were governed by their laws while Ostrogoths followed their customs; however, this led to tensions between communities.

Religious Tensions

• Significant differences arose due to religious beliefs; Ostrogoths practiced Arian Christianity which was deemed heretical by Romans.

• After Theodoric's death, his successors struggled to maintain control against Eastern Roman forces under Emperor Justinian.

Other Germanic Kingdom Developments

Lombards and Visigoths

• Following a brief Byzantine rule in Italy after defeating Ostrogoths, Lombards invaded and established authoritarian rule without preserving Roman traditions.

• In Iberia, another prominent kingdom formed was that of the Visigoths. Under King Leovigildo’s reign, they expanded significantly across Spain.

Political Structure and Conversion

• While most inhabitants were Hispanic under Visigoth rule, military positions were held by Germans. They maintained a government structure similar to Rome but restricted power to Germans only.

• To reduce religious tensions with Catholicism at around late 6th century AD, Visigoth leaders converted from Arianism to Catholicism.

Internal Conflicts and Muslim Invasion

Weaknesses within Visigoth Rule

• Despite unification efforts through conversion over time between Hispanics and Germans in Visigoth society, internal conflicts weakened their political stability as noble families vied for power.

Rise of Muslim Forces

• By early 8th century AD, these internal divisions allowed Muslim forces to invade successfully.

Expansion of Frankish Power

Formation of Frankish Kingdom

• In Central Europe emerged one powerful kingdom: that of the Franks which expanded across modern France and parts of Germany after Clovis converted to Catholicism.

Division Among Heirs

• Following Clovis' death his heirs divided Frankish territory into three regions: Neustria, Austrasia & Burgundy leading nobles gaining substantial power rivaling kings.

Charles Martel’s Leadership

The Rise and Fall of the Carolingian Empire

Formation of the Carolingian Empire

• The Roman Catholic Church played a crucial role in establishing the Carolingian Empire, with Pepin's son, Charlemagne, leading military campaigns to expand Frankish territory.

• Charlemagne's efforts resulted in the formation of a powerful empire that spanned much of Western and Central Europe.

Decline After Charlemagne

• Following Charlemagne's death, the Carolingian Empire began to disintegrate due to his heir Louis the Pious's inability to manage Frankish nobles and familial conflicts.

• External threats from Muslim and Viking invasions further contributed to the empire's fragmentation.

Treaty of Verdun

• In the 9th century, the Treaty of Verdun was signed, dividing the Carolingian Empire into three major territories as a response to its disintegration.

Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms Emergence

• Significant Germanic kingdoms emerged in Great Britain as Anglo-Saxons migrated from Denmark and Northern Germany, gradually taking control over small island kingdoms.

• King Æthelberht of Kent became notable for being the first Anglo-Saxon king to adopt Christianity, influencing his subjects' conversion.

Viking Invasions and Alfred the Great

• By the 9th century, Anglo-Saxon kingdoms faced Viking invasions; King Alfred the Great of Wessex distinguished himself by defeating Danish forces.