Early Medieval Civilization (to 1096) Common statement: "The Church monopolized education and book production in the Middle Ages." Reality: Yes. Christians were the only ones who cared about learning and books. No one else attempted to preserve learning or books in the early medieval west. Christians, like rabbinic Jews, are not only "people of the book," but people create and sustain a Judeo-Christian culture wherein learning and books are of great importance. I.Literature A.Bibles, Church Fathers, Canon Law B.Saints Lives 1.Biographies of Holy men and women 2.Written in the tradition of Hero stories 3.Patterns of lives/literature a.Early life b.Conversion c.Holy life (usually with great struggle) d.Transformation of themselves and the world e.Monasteries often grow up around them 4.example: St. Martin of Tours a.soldier b.conversion c.dividing his cloak d.hermit e.bishop f.monastery C.Letters 1.continuation of Greco-Roman tradition D.Commentaries on Scripture E.Sermons/Homilies 1.scripture + moral exhortation + reform F.Devotional Literature G.Visionary Literature 1.early medieval "divine comedy" H.Christianized Germanic & Classical literature 1.Beowulf 2.Dream of Scipio I.Germanized Christian literature 1.Caedmon's Hymns 2.Heliand II.Liturgy A.Mass B.Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) C.Structure (many local variations) 1.hymns (in Gregorian chant) 2.prayer 3.Credo 4.psalms (in Gregorian chant) 5.scripture readings 6.sermon a.proclamation of Gospel b.moral exhortation c.admonition to convert d.admonition for social reform 7.hymns (in Gregorian chant) 8.Eucharist 9.hymns (in Gregorian chant) D.Liturgical worship = participation in heavenly order E.Church Architecture 1.Origins in Roman architecture: the basilica 2.Extensively modified to meet liturgical needs a.acoustic qualities enhanced for (1)readings (2)choirs (3)call/response b.processions c.weddings, baptisms, confirmations, funerals 3.Visual arts in Churches a.exteriors often austere b.interior: paintings, sculpture, mosaics (1)the "Bible of the poor" (2)enhances understanding 4.Overall effect = transportative experience a.mosaics reflect candlelight b.golden walls seem to disappear (1)images seem to float in eternity c.blue ceilings seem to disappear (1)stars seem to float in eternity III.Monasticism A.Seeking transformation by living a holy life 1.Shun the distracting chaos of the world 2.Yet transform the world through holiness and prayer B.The Errand into the Wilderness 1.Eremitic monasticism in Palestine and Egypt a.Hermits and Ascetics of the Desert b.St. Anthony (hermit) c.St. Simeon Stylites (early anchorite) 2.Cenobitic monasticism in Palestine and Egypt a.Holiness within a community of monks/nuns b.St. Pachomius (1)Monks living within a walled community (2)Ordered life based upon work and prayer c.St. Basil - wrote a rule for cenobitic monks d.Eastern monks remained apart from the world C.Origins of Western Monasticism 1.Early ascetics: Novatian, Athanasius, Jerome 2.John Cassian 3.Martin of Tours (336-390s) 4.Paulinus of Nola (355-) 5.Monks of Jura (in Burgundy) 6.Early western rules & monastic founders a.Caesarius of Arles (rule for women) b.Augustine of Hippo (rule for men) c.Leander of Seville (rule for women) d.Isidore of Seville (rule for men) e.Fructosus of Braga (rule for men) f.Illtyd of Wales (monastery for men) g.Brigid of Kildaire (monastery for women) h.Columba of Iona i.Columbanus of Bangor (monastic missionary) 7.Benedict of Nursia a.Rule of St. Benedict 8.Cassiodorus a.work = writing & copying books 9.Columbanus & Gaelic monasticism a.Eremetic, severely austere b.Emphasis on missionary work D.Monasticism & the Preservation of Learning 1.Scriptoria: Preserve Classical authors 2.Schools: Preserve literacy & learning a.Visigothic Spain: Isidore of Seville b.Anglo-Saxon England: Venerable Bede c.Carolingian Empire: Alcuin d.Ireland: John Scotus Eriugena E.Monasteries and the world 1.Powerful economic units 2.Feed & care for the poor 3.Technological developments 4.Cooperative Extension Services F.Triumph of Benedictine Monasticism 1.Benedictine Reform in Carolingian Empire 2.Cluniac Reform restores Benedictine ideals in 10th/11th IV.Pilgrimage A.Travel to holy places for religious purposes 1.Devotion 2.Conversion & Transformation of life 3.Penance B.Rich and poor go on pilgrimages 1.Those who can afford, pay a.The wealthy pay more, to help others 2.Those who cannot receive glad charity a.shelter, food, places to rest/bathe 3.Frequent destinations a.Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Antioch b.Rome c.Santiago de Compostela (in northwestern Spain) d.Canterbury (12th century & beyond) e.Tombs and shrines throughout Christendom 4.Pilgrimage Roads a.many to Santiago, many to Rome b.Shrines on the way to pause, pray, worship c.On the way you meet returning pilgrims (1)who share their experiences d.On the return, you meet newer pilgrims (1)with whom you share your experiences 5.Similar tradition in Islamicate, among Jews a.Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Kerbala 6.Convivencia among pilgrims in Holy Land, Spain a.Convivencia in Holy Land disrupted by Fatimids (1)Christians persecuted (2)Pilgrims attacked, sold into slavery (3)Churches and shrines destroyed b.Convivencia in Holy Land disrupted by Seljuk Turks (1)1071, Manzikert (2)Byzantine losses (3)Christian pilgrims persecuted by Turks (a)attacked, slaughtered, enslaved c.Pilgrims travel in large groups (1)accompanied by knights and soldiers C.Crusades (main notes on "Crusades" link) 1.Byzantine tradition of relying on foreign mercenaries a.Varangian Guard: Russians, Vikings, English exiles 2.Emperor Alexius I Comnenus requests western mercenaries 3.Papacy a.Gregory VII (1)plans military assistance for Byzantium b.Urban II (1)Free Holy Land from Muslim misrule (2)Make pilgrimages safe for Christians (3)Assistance to Byzantium (4)Leads to what moderns call "First Crusade"