The Middle Ages Part 1: The visigoths

The Middle Ages began in 476 A.D. when the Roman Empire fell. The lands that were part of the Roman Empire were now ruled by many different people. In Hispania, a Germanic tribe called the Visigoths established a new kingdom.

Here is a timeline of the Middle Ages. Please draw it in your notebook (or print it if you want and have a printer).

Society was divided into three groups: the nobles, clergies, and peasants.

Here is a video about the history of Spain. Watch until minute four.

The Visigoths

During the 4th Century A.D. the Iberian Peninsula was invaded by Germanic tribes (Suevi, Vandals and Alans).The Roman Empire was in decline and by the start of the 5th Century they had lost all but Tarraconensis ( Tarragona). In order to try and regain control of Hispania the Romans made a pact with the Visigoths who in 415 A.D. drove the Alans and Vandals out of the central part of the peninsula.

At first, the Visigoths helped the Romans fight other Germanic tribes. Then, aſter the fall of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths established a new kingdom with its capital city in Toledo. It was called the Kingdom of Toledo. It was established in 507 A.D.

Religion

In 589 A.D., King Recaredo converted to Catholicism. This was an important event in Spanish history. It united the Visigothic kingdom under one religion. Now the Visigoth nobles and Hispano-Roman nobles had the same religion.

Culture

The Visigoths learned to speak Latin and they adopted Roman laws. There were some important cultural developments. St Isidoro of Sevilla was a bishop and an important Visigoth thinker. He was the first Christian to write an encyclopedia.

Make a mindmap of the Visigoths.

Please leave your comments and any question you have post it!! Don't hesitate!