5/17/13

barbarians is a name for all of the non roman people living around Europe. Barbarian warlord became the "Nobles" or aristocrats. Germanic tribes were still the pagans. The angles and Saxons (from Denmark and Germany)  invaded Britain and adopted culture. most anglo-saxons converted to Christianity  Most powerful Germanic tribe was the Franks. They had the best trained best army. Power lay with the "mayors of the palace" who were royal officials and nobles. Eastern part of the empire continued on while the west was being divided by barbarian tribes. Emperor Justinian came to power in 527 and decided to reunite the entire Roman Empire by re-conquering  western territories. He succeeded for a time ,but soon barbarians took over again and massive plagues struck. Greek byzantine emperors saw themselves as Roman emperors and head of the christian church. They preserved Greco-Roman art, architecture, philosophy, and writing. Justinian built massive domed Hagia Sophia in Constantinople  considered to be the most glorious church on earth at the time. Hagia Sophia translates to holy wisdom. Third version of this church was built in 537.