The Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Anglosaxons, Magyars, Gauls, Huns, Vandals, and the Vikings were just a few of the barbaric tribes that conquered areas throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.
Below you will find a row of columns with brief information on a few of these tribes and a detailed few paragraphs on the Franks.
Below you will find a row of columns with brief information on a few of these tribes and a detailed few paragraphs on the Franks.
Barbaric
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Where they were from
1. The Vandals were first heard of in Southern Poland.
2. The Vikings were Scandinavian warriors comfortable at sea. They were Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian.
3. The Visigoths were from the Balkans.
4. The Franks were a Germanic tribe. They established the Frankish Empire in Gaul (modern day Germany and France)
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Areas of Europe
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Why they were feared
1. The Vandals helped to sack Rome and their name is a synonym for willful desecration and destruction.
2. The Vikings were feared because they were violent, brutal, and powerful.
3. The Visigoths sacked Rome and participated in many wars with them too.
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What changes occurred in Europe due to their presence
2. The Vikings affected Europe because of their disruptive influence.
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The Franks
The Franks did not play as much of a part in the fall of Rome. They were even allies with the Romans at a time. However, after 451 AD, the Western Roman Empire was done for. So, the Franks moved on and went to conquer Gaul.
Clovis was the first great king of the Franks. Even though he was so young (15 years old!) he was a great ruler after gaining the throne in 481 AD. Clovis became a Catholic Christian and later made a move to convert others too. Clovis became Catholic Christian after praying to the Christian god that they would win the war against the Alemanni. The Franks won and Clovis became Catholic Christian after promising this in his prayer. By becoming Catholic Christian, Clovis's empire grew to become the largest and most powerful empire. It was even greater than that of the Western Romans!
Speaking of the Roman Empire, the Frankish Empire split in two as well. Unfortunately, this resulted in civil war from the time King Clovis died to the early 700s AD. So much civil war was dealt, that eventually, the Frankish Empire split again. Now there were three kingdoms. These were the Burgundy, Austrasia, and Neustria. But, more unlucky events followed. All three of these kingdoms were ruled by kings who just let their people fight each other, and civil war prevailed.
Finally, some good luck had come to the Franks. The mayors of the palace rose to regain the peace that the Frankish Empire had once possessed, and rebuild the great empire. Pepin of Heristal in particular reunited the empire and laid way for the Carolingian Dynasty. This dynasty was later to become one of the greatest dynasties of the Middle Ages.
Clovis was the first great king of the Franks. Even though he was so young (15 years old!) he was a great ruler after gaining the throne in 481 AD. Clovis became a Catholic Christian and later made a move to convert others too. Clovis became Catholic Christian after praying to the Christian god that they would win the war against the Alemanni. The Franks won and Clovis became Catholic Christian after promising this in his prayer. By becoming Catholic Christian, Clovis's empire grew to become the largest and most powerful empire. It was even greater than that of the Western Romans!
Speaking of the Roman Empire, the Frankish Empire split in two as well. Unfortunately, this resulted in civil war from the time King Clovis died to the early 700s AD. So much civil war was dealt, that eventually, the Frankish Empire split again. Now there were three kingdoms. These were the Burgundy, Austrasia, and Neustria. But, more unlucky events followed. All three of these kingdoms were ruled by kings who just let their people fight each other, and civil war prevailed.
Finally, some good luck had come to the Franks. The mayors of the palace rose to regain the peace that the Frankish Empire had once possessed, and rebuild the great empire. Pepin of Heristal in particular reunited the empire and laid way for the Carolingian Dynasty. This dynasty was later to become one of the greatest dynasties of the Middle Ages.
