Post-Roman Kingdoms in the West: A Shift from Taxation to Landowning
Summary
The transition from taxation to landowning as the basis of state made it harder for rulers in post-Roman kingdoms in the West to control their armies as generals demanded more land in exchange for loyalty. Economic complexity reduced overall, and different regions experienced varying levels of change. The secular aristocratic hierarchy became more militarized, with ecclesiastical offices becoming a new career choice for elite families. The cultural capital shifted from knowledge of secular classics to swordsman ship and the Bible. The Roman Empire disappeared in the West due to a combination of factors, such as constant frontier invasions, the loss of the grain heartland of Africa, and the growing power of local aristocracies who began to deal with ‘barbarian’ powers rather than the imperial government.
Table of Contents
- The shift from taxation to landowning
- Economic complexity reduction and varying levels of change
- The militarization of the secular aristocratic hierarchy
- The cultural capital shift
- The disappearance of the Roman Empire in the West
- The establishment and governance of Merovingian dynasty
- The reign of the Merovingians
- The Rauching conspiracy of 589 and powerful aristocrat rivalries
Q&A
What factors contributed to the disappearance of the Roman Empire in the West?
The disappearance of the Roman Empire in the West can be attributed to a combination of factors, including constant frontier invasions, the loss of the grain heartland of Africa, and the growing power of local aristocracies who began to deal with ‘barbarian’ powers rather than the imperial government.
How did the shift from taxation to landowning affect the ruling power of post-Roman kingdoms in the West?
The shift from taxation to landowning made it harder for rulers to control their armies as generals demanded more land in exchange for loyalty. This transition also resulted in a reduction of the empire’s economic complexity and saw the abandonment of rich urban and rural dwellings.
Did the cultural capital experience any changes during the post-Roman era?
Yes, the cultural capital shifted from knowledge of secular classics to swordsmanship and the Bible. This shift was brought on by the militarization of the secular aristocratic hierarchy and the rise of ecclesiastical offices as a new career choice for elite families.
Who established and governed the Merovingian dynasty?
The Merovingian dynasty was established by Clovis, who established hegemony over the Alemans in the upper Rhine valley and the rival Frankish kings who had occupied separate sections of northern Gaul.
How did the Merovingians govern their lands?
The Merovingian kings governed their lands based on a unified royal family known as the Merovingians. Kingship was also associated with wearing uncut hair. At the king’s death, the Frankish lands were regularly divided among his sons.
What characterized the reign of the Merovingian kings?
The reign of the Merovingian kings was marked by internal strife and external conquests, with some kings gaining international recognition and even minting gold coins with their name and portrait. The later generation of Merovingian kings was characterized by violent anger, injustice, and cruelty, with aristocratic rivalries focused on obtaining the position of maior domus, or using that position to overthrow rivals.
Conclusion
The post-Roman kingdoms in the West saw a shift from taxation to landowning as the basis of their state, resulting in greater difficulty for rulers to control their armies and a reduction in economic complexity. The cultural capital shifted from knowledge of secular classics to swordsmanship and the Bible, and the empire disappeared in the West due to a variety of factors, including constant invasions, the loss of vital resources, and the power of local aristocracies. The Merovingian dynasty established governance in Paris to Cologne region and governed their lands with a unified royal family. However, their reign was characterized by internal strife, external conquests, violent anger, injustice, and cruelty.
