Western Culture in Post-Classical Era
 Christianity dominates philosophy and art, which causes conflict and change
Popular Religion
 In early medieval times, people don’t necessarily understand the correlation between their actions and their religion
 Over time, the ways in which people can express their faith increase
 Ordinary people blend Christianity with their local culture
Religious Themes in Art and Literature
 Western Europe is very extensive in religious art (crucifixion and nativity scene)
 Artists paint on wooden panels
 Artwork produced on key religious figures
(Christ, Mary, various St.s)
 Architectural schemes change from
Romanesque to Gothic
 Gothic architecture consists of taller windows, and church spires that point toward the heavens
 Medieval music and literature reflects strong religious interest (hymns and poems)
 Religious texts still written in Latin, but everyday music/literature/conversations are in vernacular

Changing Economic and Social Forms in Post-
Classical Centuries

Under manorial system, most regions produce for local consumption

Italian merchants trade for cloth from
Netherlands and Belgium, England trades timber for Scandinavian furs


Agriculture increases, and peasants escape manorialism in order to improve their own economic situations, lords end up taxing the lower

 classes these conflicts remain until the 19 th century religion prompts egalitarian sentiment among lower classes, which doesn’t necessarily make those in power happy
Growth of Trade and Banking
 as agriculture increases, many people are able to specialize  skilled workers produce goods that they trade
 banking system is brought to Europe to help facilitate long-distance trade
 wealthy merchants invest in ships and goods in hope that a profit is earned

 Christian thinkers, such as Thomas Aquinas, oppose profit-making  sell at a “just” price
 Western Europeans trade luxurious goods
(silk, spices)  used for preservation of meat, and medicine
 North Germany and Southern Scandanavia join together in the Hasneatic League to encourage trade
 Merchants are less accepted in Europe than they are in India and China
 Aside from taxation and from loans, the royal government lets merchants conduct their own business  little interference
 In ascending to a more powerful role in society, the merchant class creates their own law
 Guilds- organizations of like-skilled workers
 Their goals were security and quality, not necessarily maximization of profit
 Guilds give their members a voice in society
 Europeans are excellent clock-makers
 In Italy and in Germany, workers are employed by capitalists who pay them based on production  contradictory teachings in
Europe
 After living in a city for 366 days, a serf can gain his freedom from the manor