Introduction and Course Documents: Western Europe and Byzantium circa 500 - 1000 CE

Europe looked dramatically different in 6th century compared to the end of the Roman Empire. Society changed in numerous ways, for the most part becoming more fragmented, less urban, less literate, and with loosely organized states that lacked the bureaucratic. This week our course content focuses on the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire), the rise and fall of the Carolingian Empire (think Charlemagne), and the expansion of the Norse through viking conquests. 

Course Documents: 

This week our course documents look at gender and familial relationships among the Norse (Vikings). The Norse were outsiders to Christendom during the early Middle Ages they explored, raided, and settled vast areas of western Europe. While much of Europe was converted to Christianity by the early 9th century, the Norse continued to practice a polytheistic pagan spiritual tradition. 

Primary Source: Unn the Deep_Norse Saga.pdf Download Unn the Deep_Norse Saga.pdf

Secondary Source: "Women in the Viking Age," exhibit from the Nationalmuseet i København Download "Women in the Viking Age," exhibit from the Nationalmuseet i København