S4 Clase 1 Numismatica e Historia Monetaria Medieval

Name: S4 Clase 1 Numismatica e Historia Monetaria Medieval
Uploaded: 2020-04-11T14:44:11.000Z
Duration: 1 h 28 min 25 s

Introduction to the Seminar on Medieval and Early Modern European Coinage

Overview of the Seminar

The speaker expresses gratitude to participants enrolled in the Level 4 seminar focused on medieval and early modern European coinage.

This is the thirteenth consecutive year that this seminar has been offered, adapting to current health situations by utilizing video classes.

Course Requirements

The seminar is advanced; students must have completed Level 1, which covers historical forms of money, to obtain certification.

The program details are available online, consisting of extensive content covering over a thousand years from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD to around 1500 AD.

Content Structure

The course material is complex due to its broad temporal scope and includes significant bibliographic resources for study.

Important works will be shared later for students' reference, emphasizing research skills as part of their training.

Historical Context: Transition from Antiquity to Medieval Period

Periodization of History

The speaker outlines a division of medieval history into three major periods: early medieval, high medieval, and late antiquity.

Early medieval history is characterized by transitional phases often referred to as "dark ages" or "migration period," highlighting various terminologies used by historians.

Invasions and Cultural Shifts

This initial period features significant transitions marked by barbarian invasions impacting political structures across Europe.

These invasions began during Marcus Aurelius's reign when pressures from barbarian tribes started affecting Roman borders.

Collapse of the Western Roman Empire

Causes and Consequences

Factors contributing to these invasions include consolidation efforts in China leading aggressive tribes like the Huns towards Rome's borders.

By the fifth century, large-scale migrations culminated in what would become known as the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

Historical Significance

This event marks one of humanity's two great cultural collapses; it followed earlier declines such as that during the Late Bronze Age around 1200 BC.

Despite this collapse, many aspects of Roman culture persisted into early medieval society, particularly within monetary systems.

The Decline of the Roman Empire

Economic Changes and Monetary Standards

The introduction of gold solidus around 309 BC marked a significant shift in currency, with minimal silver being minted during this period.

By the 4th century, even remote areas like southern Britain had adopted bronze coins for savings, indicating widespread monetization across society.

The 5th century saw a decline in monetary standards, closely linked to various invasions and economic factors contributing to the fall of the Roman Empire.

Historical Debates on the Fall of Rome

The reasons behind the fall of the Roman Empire have been debated since the 17th century, with no single cause identified; multiple factors are believed to contribute.

One key factor was land consolidation into large estates (latifundia), which shifted agricultural production and economic power away from smaller farmers.

Social Structure and Labor Dynamics

By the 5th century, extensive latifundia were controlled by senatorial elites, leading to significant economic disparities and contributing to political instability.

Large landowners wielded immense power within their regions, often acting as states within states due to their wealth and influence over local economies.

Transition from Slavery to Serfdom

A notable shift occurred from slave labor to serfdom; serfs were seen as more productive than slaves due to their vested interests in working their own plots alongside serving their lords.

This transition reflected changing economic realities where free laborers became essential for agricultural productivity compared to enslaved individuals who lacked incentives.

Military Changes and Consequences

As landowners refused military service due to their wealth, reliance on mercenaries increased within the Roman army, undermining its effectiveness.

Alliances with barbarian tribes led to further complications; these groups were invited into Roman territories but did not receive land in return for protection against other tribes.

The Fall of Western Rome

By September 476 AD, internal strife culminated in a coup that deposed Romulus Augustulus, marking the end of Western Roman authority as he was declared a vassal of Eastern Rome.

This event signified not just a political change but also set off a series of transformations leading to new state formations following Rome's collapse.

The Rise of Germanic Kingdoms

Overview of Roman-Germanic Kingdoms

The early Germanic kingdoms, often referred to as Roman-Germanic, emerged from tribes that entered the Roman Empire either as federates or invaders.

The Vandals established a kingdom in North Africa, particularly in modern Tunisia, which was a crucial agricultural area for Rome until the 6th century.

A parallel situation is noted in Britain with the Anglo-Saxons, indicating similar patterns of settlement and governance.

Key Tribes and Their Territories

The Visigoths initially invaded Rome before settling in southern Gaul and later being pushed into Spain by the Franks. They established their kingdom there.

The Franks became prominent in Gaul, controlling some of the richest territories previously held by the Western Roman Empire.

The Ostrogoths displaced other groups to form a kingdom in Italy until they were succeeded by the Lombards.

Socio-Economic Changes Post-Roman Empire

By 500 AD, Europe was fragmented into various Roman-Germanic kingdoms, marking a significant decline from previous Roman civilization standards.

There was a notable drop in literacy and economic productivity starting from the 5th century, continuing through to the 7th century when population levels reached historical lows.

Transition of Land Ownership

Despite declines, large estates (latifundia), primarily owned by senatorial classes, persisted due to respect from invading elites for existing laws and currency systems.

Conflicts between Byzantines and these kingdoms led to significant changes in land ownership dynamics; many senatorial latifundists lost their holdings.

Emergence of Feudalism

A shift occurred where Germanic elites began acquiring land through marriage or expropriation from former owners while maintaining some aspects of latifundium structure but transitioning towards feudalism.

Feudalism involved large tracts of land controlled by single lords; average holdings could reach around 4,000 hectares.

Agricultural Innovations

Significant agricultural advancements included innovations like heavy plows introduced from East Asia that revolutionized farming practices across Europe.

These innovations allowed deeper tilling of soil leading to increased agricultural yields which supported larger populations and more complex societal structures.

The Impact of the Stirrup on Society

Introduction of the Stirrup

The stirrup, likely introduced by the Chinese, significantly transformed warfare and society, similar to how the hoplite shield changed Greek society.

Social Changes Due to the Stirrup

By 66 BC, the stirrup brought about crucial social changes; cavalry existed since ancient Greek times but required significant skill without stirrups.

With stirrups, a rider can stabilize themselves while wielding heavy weapons like lances, making them formidable in battle.

Military Advantages

The effectiveness of cavalry increased dramatically; as noted in historical accounts, Frankish warriors became unstoppable when charging on horseback.

Emergence of a New Warrior Class

The term "Franks" refers to Western knights who developed advanced military technology. This new warrior class emerged from a mix of Germanic invaders and local elites.

This elite military class was distinct from common people due to land ownership granted in exchange for specialized military service.

Decline of Roman Institutions

Deterioration of Monetary Systems

The Roman monetary system began deteriorating gradually with invasions leading to economic instability and weakening institutions.

Islamic Conquests and Their Effects

Arab invasions conquered North Africa and parts of Europe, including Italy. These events sparked extensive scholarly debate regarding their impact on European history.

Encapsulation of Europe

Islamic invasions led to a significant isolation of Western Europe from Byzantium and other regions, altering cultural and political dynamics.

Transition in Economic Structures

Shift from Gold to Silver Currency

Western Europe transitioned from gold monometallism to silver monometallism as economic realities shifted post-invasions.

Rise of Carolingian Dynasty

The rise of the Carolingian dynasty was influenced by Islamic invasions; Charles Martel's leadership marked a pivotal moment in this transition.

Charlemagne: A Foundational Figure

Charlemagne's Significance

Charlemagne is considered one of the most important figures in Western civilization; he is often credited with laying down the foundations for modern Europe amidst an era dominated by Islamic control over Mediterranean trade routes.

The Transformation of the Mediterranean and the Rise of Charlemagne

The Shift from a Christian to an Islamic Mediterranean

The statement by Ibn Khaldun highlights that Christians were unable to navigate the Mediterranean, indicating a significant cultural shift where the sea transitioned from Roman control to Islamic dominance.

This transition marks a pivotal moment in history, as Europe began to turn inward, focusing less on the broader Mediterranean world. This change reflects profound political, cultural, and economic transformations.

Charlemagne's Expansion and Influence

Charlemagne is identified as a central figure whose reign will be extensively discussed due to its political, cultural, and economic significance. His conquests expanded both Carolingian territories and Christendom itself.

He conquered northern Italy and parts of Germany, advancing into regions inhabited by non-Christian tribes such as the Saxons in northern Germany. This expansion was crucial for spreading Christianity across these areas.

The Coronation of Charlemagne

On Christmas Day in 800 AD, Charlemagne was crowned as the first Emperor of the Romans in Western Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD. This event symbolized a revival of imperial authority in Western Europe.

His coronation posed a challenge to Byzantine authority since it occurred while Empress Irene ruled Constantinople, highlighting tensions between Eastern and Western powers during this period.

Economic Reforms Under Charlemagne

One of Charlemagne's most enduring reforms was his monetary reform which began around 792 AD; it aimed at stabilizing currency amidst declining gold reserves post-Roman Empire collapse.

The silver denarius replaced earlier forms of currency like solidus; however, over time its value diminished due to inflationary pressures leading to devaluation issues within Western European economies.

Currency Evolution During Carolingian Rule

Initially set at one-third gold content, coins underwent further devaluation until they were eventually replaced with lighter versions made primarily from silver or even lesser metals like electrum. This reflected ongoing economic challenges faced by Europe post-Rome's fall.

Despite these changes, solidus remained important as a unit for accounting purposes throughout this period; it served as a standard measure despite fluctuations in actual coinage weight and value over time.

Standardization Efforts Across Regions

Under Charlemagne’s reforms, there was an attempt to standardize currency across regions including Northern Italy and parts of modern-day France; however, monetization efforts were limited geographically mainly affecting specific areas rather than all of Europe uniformly.

The Role of Gold Coins in the Late Roman Empire

Historical Context of Germanic Tribes

The right bank of the Rhine River was not yet incorporated into Europe, indicating that many Germanic tribes remained outside the European sphere during this period.

Introduction to Roman Coinage

Discussion begins on gold coins circulating at the time of the fall of the Western Roman Empire, specifically focusing on a solidus from Emperor Valentinian III.

The solidus was introduced by Constantine the Great in 309 AD and became central to Roman monetary policy by around 367 AD under Valens and Valentinian.

Characteristics of Gold Coins

The solidus features an image of Emperor Augustus with inscriptions typical of the late empire, symbolizing victory and Christian elements like a cross.

A later version from Constantinople minted under Emperor Anastasius is discussed, showcasing Eastern typology with distinct imagery.

Circulation and Adoption

Despite being minted in Constantinople, Eastern solidi circulated alongside Western coins during the decline of the Western Empire.

By this time, Eastern designs were preferred due to perceived purity issues with Western minting practices.

Variations in Coin Types

Mentioned are different denominations such as a lighter version (1.5 grams), highlighting variations within gold coinage.

The semi-sis coin type is noted for its rarity and distinctive design featuring profile busts and victory symbols.

Quality Standards in Minting

Emphasis on "pure" gold standards (24 karats or approximately 1000 parts per thousand), reflecting quality control measures in coin production during this era.