HIST 210: The Early Middle Ages, 284-1000 (Fall 2011, Open Yale Courses): Lecture 06

HIST 210: The Early Middle Ages, 284-1000

Lecture 06 - Transformation of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire in the West collapsed as a political entity in the fifth century although the Eastern part survived the crisis. Professor Freedman considers this transformation through three main questions: Why did the West fall apart - because of the external pressure of invasions or the internal problems of institutional decline? Who were these invading barbarians? Finally, does this transformation mark a gradual shift or is it right to regard it as a cataclysmic end of civilization? Professor Freedman, as a moderate catastrophist, argues that this period marked the end of a particular civilization rather than the end of civilization in general. (from oyc.yale.edu)

Lecture 06 - Transformation of the Roman Empire

Time	Lecture Chapters
[00:00:00]	1. Introduction
[00:05:18]	2. Catastrophe
[00:18:18]	3. The Roman Army and the Visigoths
[00:28:00]	4. Another Kind of Barbarian: The Huns
[00:33:54]	5. Accomodation
[00:38:30]	6. Decline