MIDDLE AGES

-  THE END OF ANCIENT HISTORY

• Roman empire became too large and it was divided into 2 parts:

WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE (ROME)
EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE (CONSTANTINOPLE)

• Barbarians tribes moved into Roman territory, Rome was invaded in 476 C.E which was the end of the Ancient Period.

- GERMANIC PEOPLES

• Many barbarians were Germanic tribes from Central Europe.

• Most were farmers, so they lived in the countryside.

• They had their culture but learned to speak LATIN, adopted ROMAN LAWS and they converted to CHRISTIANITY.

• Society was divided into 3 main groups: KNIGHTS, CLERGY and PEASANTS.

• A new social and economic system was developed: FEUDALISM.

 

- THE VISIGOTHIC KINGDOM OF TOLEDO

• The Visigoths were an important Germanic tribe. They arrived in Roman Hispania in 507 C.E.
• Visigoths established a new kingdom in the Western Roman Empire, with its capital city in Toledo.
• That was the beginning of the Middle Ages in Spain.