Lecture 25: From Roman Empire to Holy Roman Empire
• The process of reintegration and stabilization began with the
emergence of the Germanic people known as the Franks as the
dominant force in Europe. As we trace these first steps, it is good to
remember that as so often with historical periods of great importance
and considerable obscurity, we are substantially dependent on a
single main source, Gregory of Tours (539–594) in his History of
the Franks, supplemented by the Chronicle of Fredegar (588–641).The Franks
• The German tribe known as the Franks—distinguished as Salian
and Ripuarian in the earliest sources, though the geographic
distinction is not entirely clear—appeared between the 3rd and
5 th centuries.• Beginning in the 5th century, the Frankish Merovingian dynasty—
named for King Merovich (d. 457)—began to conquer and
consolidate ever larger portions of Europe under a single rule.• A series of strong Frankish leaders helped to secure both the
political and religious stability of the territories situated in and
around ancient Gaul. Among these was Clovis I (466–511),
who became king of the Salian Franks in 481 and conquered the
Ripuarian Franks and the Thuringians.
o Around 496, Clovis converted to Catholicism—a decision
that proved fateful for the entire future of Europe—and in
507, he overthrew the Arian king Alaric II. To appreciate the
importance here, remember that the German tribespeople who
had converted to Christianity had been almost entirely Arian in
their understanding of Christ: He was more human than divine.o Clovis understandably gained the aid of Catholic bishops, as
well as the agents of Rome (Byzantium); in 508, the Byzantine
emperor Anastasius recognized his status and declared Clovis
to be a Roman proconsul. This is a bit like being designated a
congressman when one has already been elected president.