The Fall of the Roman Empire

The lecture introduces the Dark Ages, a period within the Medieval Era, following the fall of the Roman Empire. It discusses the gradual decline of civilization from 400 to 1000 CE, highlighting the differences between the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. The lecture covers the impact of the Roman Empire's fall, including the breakdown of law and order, economic turmoil, and cultural decline. It also introduces the Germanic tribes, their invasions, and their influence on Western Europe. Finally, it compares the urban lifestyle of Romans with the nomadic lifestyle of Germanic tribes.

What marked the beginning of the Dark Ages?

• The fall of the Byzantine Empire

• The discovery of America

• The rise of the Islamic Empire

• The fall of the Roman Empire

What was a major consequence of the Roman Empire's decline in Western Europe?

• Breakdown of law and order

• Expansion of the Roman Empire

• A unified national government

• Increased trade and cultural exchange

What was the impact of the absence of a national government in post-Roman Western Europe?

• Unified legal system

• Increased cultural diffusion

• Establishment of a new empire

• Protection by local leaders only

Which Germanic tribe was known for defeating the Western Roman Empire?

• The Franks

• The Visigoths

• The Vandals

• The Huns

Which tribe invaded the British Isles and became known as the Anglo-Saxons?

• The Anglos and Saxons

• The Bavarians

• The Vandals

• The Franks

Which tribe was known for creating an empire in Southeastern Europe?

• The Huns

• The Vandals

• The Franks

• The Goths

What was a key difference between Roman and Germanic tribal societies?

• Romans lived in small villages

• Germanic tribes had a centralized government

• Romans were loyal to an idea, while Germanic tribes were loyal to a chief

• Germanic tribes had a written legal code

What was the primary loyalty of Roman citizens?

• To the Roman Emperor

• To a god

• To their local chief

• To the idea of the Roman Empire

How were leaders chosen in Germanic tribes?

• Through military conquest

• By divine right

• By familiar succession and merit

• By democratic election

What was a characteristic of the Germanic tribes' legal system?

• Centralized court system

• Written legal codes

• Trial by ordeal

• Trial by jury