What early kingdoms formed in Europe from the 400s to the 700s?
During the 400s to the 700s, several kingdoms emerged in Europe, including:
1. Visigothic Kingdom: The Visigoths established a kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal) in the early 5th century after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
2. Ostrogothic Kingdom: The Ostrogoths established a kingdom in Italy in 493 after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the decline of the Byzantine Empire.
3. Frankish Kingdom: The Franks established a kingdom in modern-day France and Germany in the late 5th century. The Merovingian dynasty ruled over the Frankish Kingdom until the rise of the Carolingians in the 8th century.
4. Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: In Britain, the Anglo-Saxons established several kingdoms, including Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria, among others, in the 6th and 7th centuries.
5. Lombard Kingdom: The Lombards established a kingdom in northern Italy in 568 after invading the region.
6. Kingdom of the Suebi: The Suebi established a kingdom in modern-day Portugal in the 5th century.
7. Vandal Kingdom: The Vandals established a kingdom in North Africa in the early 5th century.
Why did Christianity spread through Europe in the 700s and 800s?
Christianity spread through Europe in the 700s and 800s for a variety of reasons, including:
1. Conversion of rulers: The conversion of King Clovis I of the Franks in the late 5th century and King Reccared I of the Visigoths in the early 7th century helped spread Christianity among their subjects.
2. Missionary work: Christian missionaries, such as Saint Patrick, Saint Augustine of Canterbury, and Saint Boniface, traveled throughout Europe to convert people to Christianity and establish churches and monasteries.
3. Political and cultural influence: The Byzantine Empire, which was Christian, exerted a significant political and cultural influence over Europe in the 700s and 800s. This helped spread Christianity as well.
4. Carolingian Renaissance: The Carolingian rulers of the Frankish Kingdom, including Charlemagne, promoted education and a revival of classical learning, which included the study of Christian theology.
5. Stability and unity: Many Europeans converted to Christianity because it provided a sense of stability and unity in an otherwise tumultuous time period with frequent invasions and warfare.
During the period of the 400s to the 700s, several early kingdoms formed in Europe. Here are some of them:
1. The Visigothic Kingdom: Established in the early 400s by the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe, in what is now modern-day Spain and Portugal. The kingdom endured until 711 when it was conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate.
2. The Ostrogothic Kingdom: Created by the Ostrogoths, another Germanic tribe, in the 5th century in what is now modern-day Italy. The kingdom lasted until 553 when it was conquered by the Byzantine Empire.
3. The Merovingian Kingdom: Emerged in the late 5th century and was ruled by the Merovingian dynasty, which was comprised of Frankish kings. It covered regions of present-day France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
4. The Lombard Kingdom: Established by the Lombards, a Germanic tribe, in the 6th century in what is today known as Italy. The Lombards ruled over a significant part of the Italian Peninsula until the 8th century when they were conquered by the Carolingian Franks.
5. The Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: Several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms formed in England during this time, including Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria, and East Anglia. These kingdoms emerged in the wake of the decline of Roman rule in Britain.
6. The Carolingian Empire: Founded by Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, in the late 8th century. It encompassed a vast territory, including parts of modern-day France, Germany, Italy, and the Low Countries.
These are just a few examples of the early kingdoms that were established in Europe between the 400s and the 700s.