The First Millenium

[Vince]

Is 781 interesting?

In Japan, Mount Fujiyama erupts as a volcano. This is the earliest recorded eruption of Japan's most famous mountain.

Kammu begins an uneventful 25 year reign as Emperor of Japan. He consolidates power and has so many children that three of his sons later become Emperor.

The distinguished English scholar Alcuin of York is appointed Charlemagne's advisor on religious and educational matters, where he becomes a leading figure in producing a French Renaissance.

Yang Yan, a Chinese statesman, had developed a system of land taxation that survived until 1949. But he commits suicide when he is charged with bribery and corruption.

Christian monasteries begin appearing in China. And China erects the Nestorian Stele, a stone monument honoring 150 years of Christianity in China.

 

[Vince]

It's time for 782.

Charlemagne orders "The Bloodbath of Verden." Having pacified the Saxons and added them to his empire, Charlemagne was enraged to learn that they had slaughtered a Frankish army and its commanders. Invading as quickly as he could, he accepted 4,500 hostages and them executed them all.

Irene, serving as regent of the Byzantine Empire, had quickly restored statue worship while removing her opponents from power. Tatzates, a successful general who had been loyal to her husband and his policy of outlawing statue worship, was part of an army that had a Moslem army surrounded when he defected. With the aid of Tatzates and his men, the Moslems were able to advance to within sight of Constantinople before dictating a harsh peace treaty. The Byzantines made a huge gold payment and began paying tribute to the Moslem empire.

 

[Vince]

783 is a rough year for Charlemagne.

His second wife dies in childbirth, leaving Charlemagne with a pile of children. Then his mother dies. Then he marries a young woman and makes her queen, so she starts interfering in matters of state.

Widukind returns from exile to start another Saxon rebellion, slaughtering a Frankish army stationed in what is now Germany.

The Byzantine Empire invades itself. It seems that they had a vaguely-worded agreement that allowed Slavs to settle in depopulated areas of Greece while allowing the Slavs to remain independent. Breaking the treaty, the Byzantines successfully subjugate the Slavs.

 

[Vince]

784 is a quiet year.

Tarasios, a layman, is appointed Patriarch of Constantinople by Irene, the regent. He had formerly opposed statue worship but changed his mind and had entered a monastery. Before that, he had been a senator and then a high-ranking official in the palace. Tarasis accepted the appointment on condition that he be allowed to follow a policy of reconciliation with Rome and the Oriental bishops who had separated from the Orthodox Church. He promptly restores statue-worship but follows a policy of tolerance with those who disagree.

Although unhappy that a layman had been appointed as Patriarch, the Pope agrees to send delegates to a Church Council in Constantinople

 

[Vince]

Welcome to 785.

There are varied accounts of what actually happened, but after being defeated by Charlemagne, the Saxon leader Widukind converts to Catholicism. He is then imprisoned for life in a monastery.

In a sharp reversal of doctrine, the Catholic Church states that a woman cannot gain magical powers by selling herself to the Devil, and the Council orders the death penalty for anyone who burns a woman at the stake for being a witch. Although it doesn't stop completely, the execution of innocent women for practicing witchcraft is slowed down.

 

[Vince]

So much happens in 786 that we will need three days to explain it all.

A Church council in Constantinople is disrupted by soldiers opposed to statue worship. The papal delegates flee back to Rome, but the Council resumes and restores statue worship.

In Spain, Moslems begin the Great Mosque of Cordoba, taking 200 years to finish. Contradictory records state that it had been a pagan temple which was then converted into a Catholic Church, which was then converted into a mosque. Other records state that the Moslems tore down the Catholic church and built the mosque on the site. After Catholics reconquered Spain, the building was returned to the Catholic Church, which converted it into a cathedral.

Speaking of Spain, in the Catholic kingdom of Asturias in northern Spain, Beatus of Liébana, a monk, theologian, and geographer, publishes his commentary on the Book of Revelation. It taught that Islam is the Antichrist and defended other controversial theological views. We'll be discussing it tomorrow.

Harun al-Rashid begins his twenty-three year reign over the Moslem empire. He and Charlemagne exchange gifts, and the Frankish court is astounded by a water clock that records the hour by dropping metal balls into a bowl while little golden knights emerge from a door. He establishes peaceful relations with China’s dying Tang Dynasty and continues to receive tribute from the Byzantine Empire. His disastrous decision to divide the empire between his two sons while he was still alive guaranteed a civil war that caused the empire to collapse after his death.

Culture, art, and science flourish so well under him that his magnificent court is told about in the classic fictional tale “1,001 Nights.†It takes about 1300 year to write, and we'll be discussing it two days from now.

 

[Vince]

We're still in 786, discussing two magnificent pieces of literature, the first of which none of us had ever heard of before.


In the Catholic kingdom of Asturias in northern Spain, Beatus of Liébana, a monk, theologian, and geographer, publishes his commentary on the Book of Revelation. Some surviving copies are lavishly illustrated, and the commentary was popular during the Middle Ages, especially in monasteries. It taught that Islam is the Antichrist and defended other controversial theological views.

Beatus quotes heavily from a variety of Church Fathers, and only a small part of his commentary is original. His map of the world is an historic masterpiece, as it explains how the Medieval world regarded the world after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Suffering heavily under Moslem persecution, Spanish Catholics quickly accepted the Book of Revelation as a rallying point against the Moslems. It also became a rallying cry for the “Reconquest†of Spain. It has been observed that all of these Church Fathers (who include St. Augustine and Jerome) died long before the invention of Islam and never referred to it.

Beatus respected a tradition that the world would end in 800 AD, and many of the manuscripts were copied around 1000 AD, when the belief re-appeared. It is not known who originated the illustrations, but these works of art are one reason for the book’s popularity.

Incredibly, it has never been translated into English, partly because the Catholic Church does not agree with Beatus’s interpretation of Revelations.

 

[Vince]

We're still in 786, the first year of the reign of Harun al-Rashid (Aaron the Righteous) over the Moslem empire.


The great Arabian classic, “1,001 Nights†is known under different names, such as “Arabian Nights,†and actually took over 1,300 years to write. It is a collection of Arabic, Indian, African, Chinese, Asian, and even European tales, all told by the wife of a caliph who keeps postponing her execution so he can hear the next part. The story of the narrator actually takes place over 200 years before Harun al-Rashid’s reign. However, the magnificent court in the story comes from Aaron the Righteous, and it is during his reign that someone began collecting the stories.

Stories range from adventure, history, science fiction, genuine science, romance, and pornography. Different manuscripts vary widely, with different stories included, and with the stories told in different ways, showing that the stories were added over the centuries. Some stories were written just to be added to an existing manuscript.

The oldest surviving manuscript is fairly short and was written just a few decades after Aaron the Righteous became Caliph. Over the centuries, "The Arabian Nights " grew to twelve volumes. A French translator in the seventeenth century added the last story, Aladdin's Lamp, after hearing it from an Arabian scholar. The stories freely mix Islam and magic, giving us an idea of what the common people actually believed. Most of the stories are "Arabianized," so their origins are difficult to discern.

These stories contributed greatly to the development of European and other literature.

 

[Vince]

Folks, I apologize, but I wasn't able to get onto the site yesterday. So let's see what happens is 787.

Enthusiastically attended by representatives from the east and west, the Second Council of Nicaea restores image and statue veneration to the Catholic Church, which had usually ignored orders to stop venerating them. Two major results are that the monks become a more powerful force, and the Catholic Church gains more freedom from government regulation.

Paul the Deacon, a devout Catholic monk who is also a Lombard, begins compiling his great history of the Lombards. Much of the information in this series has come from his writings. The grandson of a Lombard warrior, Paul might have been secretary to the Lombard king before the kingdom was destroyed by Charlemagne. He and Charlemagne actually became friends, and he persuaded Charlemagne to release Paul’s brother from prison.

In Scotland, Conall mac Taig becomes King of the Picts. He doesn't do too well, losing two major battles and getting killed in the second one.

 

[Vince]

And now it is the year 788.

The Duchy of Bavaria existed in southeastern Germany. Officially part of the Frankish empire, the duchy had declared itself independent and had its own king. The Bavarians themselves are a blend of Germans, Romans, local people, and others who got left behind when the Roman Empire abandoned Germany. This year, Charlemagne reconquers Bavaria.

In northern Spain, Bermudo the Deacon becomes ruler of the Catholic kingdom of Asturias. A kind, honest man, he is popular with the people and the nobility. But three years later, he resigns after being defeated in battle by invading Moslems.

Morocco rebels against the Moslem empire, setting up a government that lasts for ten centuries.

 

[Vince]

Things are fine in 789.

It's a very bad year for Emperor Kammu of Japan. He had moved the capital away from the largest Buddhist temples, hoping to lessen their political influence. But when floods and famine followed (interpreted by some as divine wrath) he had an uprising, and his troops were defeated. Nonetheless, he managed to strengthen his power through the colleges by writing a textbook teaching that the Emperor was the Son of Heaven and entitled to rule not only Japan but other lands as well.

Idris I, who last year led a successful revolt in Morocco against the Moslem empire, founds the city of Fes. He continues his policy of rapid expansion through conquest, alarming the rest of the Moslem empire into preparing to assassinate him.

Meanwhile, Aaron the Righteous, ruler of the Moslem empire, gains even more power when his mother dies. His father had appointed Aaron as ruler but she was a powerful politician who still held some of the power.

In Scotland, Constantine Son of Fergus begins his thirty one year reign as ruler of the Picts. Viking raiders destroyed many of the records, but he battles them as well as political rivals.

In England, the King of Wessex marries the daughter of the King of Mercia. Bad move. She quickly begins seizing power, slandering and poisoning her opponents. (By George, I once knew a pastor's wife who did the same thing).

 

[Vince]

Welcome to 790!

Emperor Constantine VI takes part in a revolt that removes his mother as Regent and makes him sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire. The nineteen-year-old Emperor allows his mother to keep the title of Empress and begins his incompetent reign.

Charlemagne appoints Angilbert, a layman, as abbot of the monastery at Centulum in northern France. Unlike many lay abbots, Angilbert does not keep his salary to himself. He provides for the monks and rebuilds parts of the abbey. Still a layman, he keeps his role of abbot while performing important diplomatic missions. He and his mistress have two sons, and when he dies, he is declared a saint.

Cambodia revolts against the island-based kingdom of Sumatra, and for the next ten years expands through conquest before being defeated.

Irish monks establish a monastery in Iceland and remain as permanent inhabitants. They used small bells as part of their worship, and after their monastery died out, some of the bells were found.

 

[Vince]

And here it is, 791!

It's a fairly quiet year. A small group of Avars, who are part of the Turkish community, invade Europe and are easily defeated by Charlemagne.

Alfonso the Chaste begins his 51 year reign over the Catholic kingdom of Asturias in northern Spain. He was elected because the previous king resigned after being defeated by the Moslems in southern Spain. Alfonso won various victories over the Moslems, eventually capturing Lisbon (in modern Portugal) and pushing Asturias' borders southward.

 

[Vince]

792 has arrived!

Using technology from Chinese prisoners, Moslems build their first paper factory, putting it in Baghdad.

Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI makes a really bad mistake. He restores his mother Irene as Empress.

In southern Spain and part of northern Africa, Hisham I ruled the Moslem kingdom of Cordoba, which was independent of the Moslem Empire. He declares a Jihad ("holy war") against the Catholic kingdom of Asturias in northern Spain. Volunteers from various parts of the Moslem world begin assembling for the forthcoming invasion.

 

[Vince]

And now we see 793!

Vikings from Norway attack England for the first time, raiding a monastery on Holy Island. It is a major turning point in English history, as the various kingdoms have to unite against the Vikings.

Although conquered by the Frankish Empire, the Frisians, a group of Germans in the Rhine delta, rebel unsuccessfully.

Having assembled volunteers from around the Moslem world, Hisham I of Cordoba invades the Catholic kingdom of Asturias in northern Spain. He is soundly defeated and his jihad fails.

Meanwhile, the Moslem paper mill in Baghdad is in full swing. Christian and Jewish scholars emigrate safely to Baghdad, which becomes a major center of culture and education, surpassing anything in Europe.

 

[Vince]

Today is February 2, and guess what your ancestors did on this day.

It's the first day of spring, according to the Celtic calendar. But it's about six weeks until the Equinox (when the days and nights are equally long), and other calendars say that is the first day of spring. So what? Your ancestors had to make a life or death decision on when they should plant their crops. Too early, and their crops would freeze; too late, and the next winter would shorten their harvest.

If warm winds from the Mediterranean blew north, they would bring clouds with them, giving warm weather and rain. But if cold dry winds blew down from the north, it would be sunny, but the cold weather would continue. So if the groundhog saw its shadow, it meant that your ancestors were experiencing cold, dry weather, and they should wait another six weeks for spring. But if the groundhog didn't see his shadow, it meant that warm, rainy weather was on the way, and winter was over.

Of course it doesn't work, but now you know what your ancestors were doing on this day for over a thousand years.

Happy Groundhog Day!

 

[Vince]

794

Japan moves its capital to Kyoto, where it remains until 1868. Lasting until 1185, the Heian Period begins. Art and culture flourish, and while the Emperor is the official ruler, real power often lies with local leaders who have their own private armies. Court women produce most of the great literature of this period.

Charlemagne calls the Council of Frankfurt. It decrees that religious images can be useful for education but are not to be venerated. It rules that witchcraft is only a superstition and re-affirms the death penalty for executing a woman on a charge of witchcraft.

For the first time, Vikings raid Scotland. But even worse, they sack the English monastery that the Venerable Bede had turned into a center of English culture.

 

[Vince]

795

On December 26, Pope Leo III begins his 21 year reign. Angered at the election of a commoner, the Roman nobility later deposed him. He fled to Charlemagne, who forcibly restored him, and Leo responded by crowning Charlemagne as Roman Emperor in the year 800. This did not go well with the Empress in Constantinople, but she was unable to do anything.

The “luck of the Irish†finally fails. Left alone by the Romans, the Germans, and the Moslems, the Irish are invaded by Danish Vikings. They settle in Ireland, raiding monasteries and farmlands for the next century, and meeting no organized national resistance.

Facing food shortages, Charlemagne bans the exporting of food.

 

[Vince]

And now it is 796, and if you haven't already guessed, we're in the Age of the Vikings. Relying on hit-and-run raids as a source of wealth, the Vikings begin a new policy of settling in lands they have conquered.

One of Islam's most brilliant scholars, "Imam Malik," the "Sheikh of Islam", dies. Revered to this day by Sunni Moslems, he helped establish the Moslem legal system, brought peace between some of the Moslem sects, and forbade disputing about difficult doctrines.

In England, Coenwulf begins his 25 year reign over Mercia, the most powerful kingdom in Britain. An unsuccessful ruler, he had to re-seize Kent from an opponent (whom he blinded and had his hands cut off), lost and regained Anglia, and had a serious split with the Catholic Church. Coenwulf was the last king of Mercia to exercise substantial dominance over other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Within a decade of his death, the rise of Wessex had begun, under King Egbert, and Mercia never recovered its former position of power.

Once again, Charlemagne defeats invading Avars in southeastern Europe, carrying away fifteen wagon loads of gold and jewels after his victory.

 

[Vince]

797

Irish monks begin The Book of Kells. Fabulously illustrated with gargoyles, saints, angels, monsters, and Bible scenes, it is a translation of the four Gospels into (what was then) modern Latin. Displayed in a museum, one page is turned every day for visitors to observe.

Remember how Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI had deposed his mother Irene as Regent and seized his own throne? And then he partially restored her? She leads a successful revolt, has her son blinded, and declares herself Empress. Constantine VI dies shortly afterwards.

Donnchad the Wrathful,the High King of Ireland, dies. Regarded as evil in every surviving record, he had regularly looted Catholic churches and fought neighboring kingdoms. He had befriended the pre-Catholic Christian churches, though, leaving them unharmed.