Anlic_Sceadu

In my last history class, on Friday, my teacher introduced our class to Pirenne’s Thesis. For more information take a look at Wikipedia and feel free to do more research on the subject…but the idea of it is that, what we once believed about the spread of Christianity and the Roman Empire is totally different from what historical facts show. Take note that this is not a proved theory, but it is still very interesting.

You see, the Roman Empire was a Mediterranean society. During the Empire North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe where integrated. It was in no way a total European society like we make it out to be today. Pirenne stated that it was not Europe who was Christian; it was actually North Africa and the Near East who flourished in Christianity during the “dark ages.” These other parts of the world were also more prosperous than Europe. Perinne’s ideas would account for the reasons why the capital of Rome was moved and it is also backed up by the fact that these parts of the world were also more economically successful than Europe.

Truthfully, Europe was a society of disorganized barbarians. Pirenne believed that the Romans mostly pulled out of Europe heading to the more civilized parts of the world after the fall of the Roman Empire. With the remnants of the Empire, Christianity also pulled out. Europe actually wasn’t a society based on Christianity like we make it out to be. It wasn’t until Islam developed and started conquering North Africa and the Near East, that Christians once again became interested in Europe. Monasteries and churches in this time where actually built to ward off attacks because of all the barbarians that would ransack them. Architecture was very different during this time period compared to the Grand Chapels we think of in Europe today. Charlemagne arose as the great Christian leader, and tried to convert and attract the barbarians. By the 10^th and 11^th centuries, Christianity finally claimed a foot-hold on the European Continent. The revival of the Middle Ages began.

One of the faults in this thesis though, is that Pirenne claimed that the Muslim society had no contact with the Christian Society in Europe during the Middle ages. This has actually recently been proven false. Christians actually bartered and traded with the richer and more economically successful Muslims. Europeans traded barbarian slaves for the wares of Africa and the Middle East.

So…isn’t it a totally fascinating theory…if proven this could be a very significant discovery in Christian History. I’d like to hear your thought on this subject, so feel free to leave comments. Do you think Pirenne’s crazy…or does he draw out some good points?

I am watching Center Stage (Special Edition) Release Date: 24 October, 2000

Influence Poll

Please answer these questions to the best of your ability by circling, “x”ing, or writing the appropriate answer. 

1. What is your main source for news? ____

1. TV news
2. Newspapers
3. Online resources
4. Radio news
5. Alternative resources or other

2. What general TV sources do you watch? ____

1. CNN
2. Fox News
3. National News
4. Local News
5. Other

3. What newspapers do you read? ____

1. Washington Post
2. New York times
3. LA Times
4. USA Today
5. Local newspapers
6. Other

4. Does your choice in media tend to ____

1. Fit your point of view
2. Go against your point of view
3. I don’t care, because I don’t have a news source.

5. How many stories do you see (hear, read, etc.) each week that show positive achievements of the war in Iraq?____

1. 0-1
2. 2-3
3. 4-5
4. 6-10
5. 10 or more

6. How many stories do you see (hear, read, etc.) each week that show negative achievements of the war in Iraq? ____

1. 0-1
2. 2-3
3. 4-5
4. 6-10
5. 10 or more

7. What is your point of view of the War in Iraq? ____

1. I’m for the War.
2. I’m against the War.
3. I don’t really care, so therefore I am neutral.

8. What is your point of view on the Vietnam War? ____

1. It was a mistake and we should have never gotten involved
2. We should have stayed and finished
3. Why does it matter? It’s over said and done.

9. What is your point of view on World Wars I & II? ____

1. America did a great service to the world!
2. We should have stayed out of it (aka been like Switzerland).
3. We were on the wrong side.
4. I don’t really care.

10. How much news do you actually keep track of? ____

1. I check my news sources four or more times a day.
2. I check my news source a few times a day.
3. I check it once daily.
4. I check it once a month.
5. What news source?

11. Do you think the media has any influence on what you think of war? _____

1. Yes, a great influence.
2. Slightly, it’s impossible for it not to have any influence.
3. No, not at all.
4. I have no earthly idea.

12. What is your age? ____

1. 16-19
2. 20-30
3. 30-40
4. 40-50
5. 50 or more

13. What gender are you? ____

1. Male
2. Female

14. What social class do you consider yourself to be a part of? ____

1. Lower class
2. Middle class
3. Upper class
4. I’ve got more money than I know what to do with.

I am watching The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Widescreen Edition) Release Date: 04 April, 2006