*End of Roman Empire / Europe Takes Shape*

Today we took a test on the Roman Empire once again. This test was a bit different from past tests he has given us. Instead of 'multiple choice' or 'true or false' questions, this test was 'fill in the blank' and short response questions. Many of my classmates who took the test yesterday said that this test was very hard, and they were right. I worked to the very last minute because it was so long. Our new unit is 'Europe takes shape', which takes place during 700-1000 AD. Below are some notes on the chapter.

EUROPE TAKES SHAPE

The Carolingians

By 700 AD, the Frankish Kingdom, once the most powerful Kingdom in Western Europe, was falling apart. The wealthy family named the Carolingians took control of the Frankish Empire, and they had been the first to start fully developing western Europe. One of the family members, Charles, became the mayoralty (similar to king) of the new Empire. (Carolingians also translates to "children of Charles" in Frankish). 

Charles was nicknamed Charles Martel ("Charles the Hammer") because of his warlike and fierce personality. He was very generous with land, and gave it to his people as gifts or for respect. Some of the land given was from defeated enemies, while some of the land was from the Church. 

Charles son Pepin decided that power in the Kingdom needed to be lawful and rightful, with an organized structure of government. Over time, Pepin became a monk and missionary of the Kingdoms Eastern Lands. This was the first time in history that a king began his reign with a religious ceremony. 

Pope Steven II also anointed Pepin and his two sons to make sure they could rule the Empire well. Pepin claimed parts of Italy during his rule, and gained far wider power. This new "Roman" Empire was under the influence of Charles the Great. 

Charlemagne was Pepin's son and Charles Martel's grandson, and he was a very influential individual by contributing greatly to the evolution of western Europe. He had a very militaristic personality, and was always fighting a war. His military efforts helped him win over half of Italy. 

Charlemagne was a firm believer in Christianity. Local officials called counts helped make the decisions, and each count was in charge of a region of the Empire, or county. Occasionally, a group of counties would work together on an issue, and the man in charge of the group would be known as a duke. For taxation, he would use his many Estates for profit. 

Charlemagne made his capitol at Aachen. Charlemagne encouraged better education in his kingdom, so he set up clergy schools in Aachen.