Why are the Franks important?

Frank, member of a Germanic-speaking people who invaded the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century. Dominating present-day northern France, Belgium, and western Germany, the Franks established the most powerful Christian kingdom of early medieval western Europe.

Who conquered Rome in the Middle Ages?

Italy was invaded by the Visigoths in the 5th century, and Rome was sacked by Alaric in 410. The (traditional) last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustus, was deposed in 476 by an Eastern Germanic general, Odoacer.

What kingdom came after Rome?

The most enduring and significant claimants of continuation of the Roman Empire have been, in the East, the Byzantine Empire, followed after 1453 by the Ottoman Empire; and in the West, the Holy Roman Empire from 800 to 1806.

What were some of the Franks achievements?

The greatest ruler of the Carolingian Empire and the Franks was Charlemagne who ruled from 742 to 814. Charlemagne expanded the Frankish Empire to rule a large portion of Europe. He brought many reforms to the Franks including a strong government, written laws, education, a monetary standard, and support for the arts.

Where did the Franks settle after defeating the Romans?

Early Frankish period The Ripuarian Franks, as they would be known, settled in the middle Rhine area (near Cologne) and along the lower branches of the Moselle and Meuse rivers, and the Salian Franks, as they came to be known, found homes in the Atlantic coastal region.

When did the kingdom of the Franks end?

But it survived the Frankish monarchy and remained the most respected title of a lay ruler in Europe until the Holy Roman Empire, as it was known from the mid-12th century, was abolished by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806, a little more than 1,000 years after Charlemagne was crowned.

Who took over Italy after the Romans?

Odoacer
FALL OF ROME Rome was sacked twice: first by the Goths in 410 and then the Vandals in 455. The final blow came in 476, when the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustus, was forced to abdicate and the Germanic general Odoacer took control of the city. Italy eventually became a Germanic Ostrogoth kingdom.

Where did Romans go after the fall of Rome?

After the Collapse of the Roman Empire The Visigoth kingdoms of Spain (from 419) and France (from 507) retained Roman administration and law. A Visigoth kingdom in Spain and much of France saw a continuation of Roman administration until it was destroyed by the Muslims in 711.