Summarize how the epic poem Heliand helped to unify Europe.
The Heliand formalized feudal structure.
The Heliand spread Salic Law to the Saxon tribe.
The Heliand created a popular version of Christianity that embraced warrior culture.
The Heliand spread the law of primogeniture.
The Heliand is an epic poem written in Old Saxon, one of the earliest known examples of Germanic vernacular literature, which dates back to the 9th century. It presented a version of the Christian Gospel re-framed within the cultural context of the Saxon people, essentially retelling the story of Jesus in a way that resonated with the warrior culture and societal norms of the time. By incorporating elements familiar to the Saxon audience, such as the lord-retainer relationship reminiscent of the feudal system, it facilitated the spread and acceptance of Christianity among the Saxons.
The Heliand did not directly formalize feudal structure, spread Salic Law, or spread the law of primogeniture. Instead, its significance lay in its role in the Christianization of the Saxons, which was a part of the larger unification of Europe under a common religion. By translating Christian stories into a cultural framework understandable to the Saxons, the Heliand helped to unify disparate groups under the Christian faith which was a cornerstone of European identity during the Middle Ages.
In unifying Europe, the Heliand indirectly supported the spread of the feudal system and Christian social structures, such as primogeniture, as these were part of the overarching Christian and feudal cultures that were spreading across Europe at the time. However, it is more accurate to say that it helped in unifying European culture by enabling the integration of pagan tribes like the Saxons into the Christianized Carolingian Empire, rather than attributing to it the formalization of specific laws or social structures.