Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe, 300û900: The Sword, the Plough and the Book

by Innes; Matthew

• ISBN13: 9780415215077
• ISBN10: 0415215072
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2007-08-14
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Surveying the period of European history, 300?900 AD, this comprehensive and stimulating textbook is the first to present the last twenty-five years of research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. It is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it. An Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe includes: chapter summaries and chronologies key topic essays discussing archaeological or documentary evidence maps plus supporting illustrations from archaeological and historical finds bibliographical essays which discuss available sources and further reading, introducing teachers and students to specialist literature a comprehensive index. Key topics discussed are: why the Roman Empire broke down so irrevocably in western Europe how it came to be replaced by radicallydifferent political systems why the city-based state structure of antiquity was replaced how and why the division between civilians and the military broke down the conversion of western Europe to Christianity and the establishment of the church as the central social institution what made western Europe's experience so distinctive in this period. With its synthesis and interpretations of otherwise unavailable primary research, and it's carefully constructed textbook features, Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe is ideal for students of late antique or early medieval history and will also be an invaluable resource for researchers and postgraduate students worldwide.

Table of Contents

Preface and acknowledgements

Introduction: Rome, the Barbarians and the Fate of Western Europe

The Transformation of the Roman West

A new Roman Order: State, Church and Society in the Late Empire

Barbarians, the Roman Frontier and the Crisis of the Western Empire

The Fifth-Century West and the 'Fall of Rome'

The End of the Ancient Mediterranean

The Western Mediterranean in the Age of 'Reconquest'

Arabs, Avars and Amphoras: Causes and Consequences of Imperial Collapse

Kingdoms and Communities in the Post-Roman West

Hispania and Italy: Contrasting Communities

Gaul and Germany: the Merovingian World

Britain and Ireland: Kings and Peoples

The Carolingian Moment: Western Europe in the Eighth and Ninth Centuries

'The invincible race of the Franks': Conquest, Christianisation and Carolingian Kingship

'Peace, unity and concord among the Christian people': Carolingian Order and its Architects

Paradoxes of Empire: Western Europe in the Ninth Century

Epilogue: The Sword, The Plough and The Book

Index

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