Part 21

Understand that Rome's control over Gaul was gradual, beginning with assistance to Massilia against Celts in 121 BC and securing a route to Spain, leading to the formation of a southern province.

Note Caesar's major campaign launched in 58 BC, which lasted eight years and resulted in Gaul becoming a Roman possession.

Recognize that Gaul remained relatively content under Roman rule for centuries, serving as a base for expansion into Great Britain and Germanic lands.

Observe the increasing pressure from northern and eastern invaders during the third and fourth centuries AD as Roman power waned, with major incursions by the Alemanni and Franks in the mid-third century, retaken by Rome in 274 AD.

Acknowledge the introduction of Christianity around 250 AD, which had taken root by the end of the fourth century.

Understand that after Rome's division in 395 AD, Western Rome largely abandoned Gaul, leading to large Germanic tribal crossings of the Rhine in 405-406 AD, with groups like the Franks and Burgundians establishing permanent homes, and the Visigoths occupying Aquitaine.

Note that by 476 AD, Romans were completely driven out by Germanic invaders.

During the Middle Ages (400-1200 AD), France was divided into smaller kingdoms ruled by Germanic invaders' heirs.

In the late 5th century, King Clovis of the northern Franks unified most of the country, becoming the first Merovingian king and moving his capital to Paris.

Understand that upon Clovis's death in 511 AD, the kingdom was divided among his four sons, leading to decades of infighting until one brother remained in 558 AD, with the kingdom dividing again upon his death nine years later.

Observe the rise of the Carolingian family in the eighth century, challenging the Merovingians and dominating northern France/Germany.

Note that when King Theodoric IV died in 737 AD, Carolingian King Charles Martel assumed direct power.

Understand that Charles Martel stopped Muslim incursions into France and extended his power into Germany.

Recognize that Charles Martel was succeeded by Pippin the Short, who openly assumed the throne with papal blessing.

Upon Pippin the Short's death, the kingdom was divided between his sons Carloman and Charlemagne.

Charlemagne became sole king of France in 771 AD after his brother's death in 768 AD, pursuing expansion into Germany and Muslim-held Spain, and intervening in Italy to conquer the Lombards and create the Papal States.

By the end of the eighth century, Charlemagne was the dominant power in Western Europe.

In 800 AD, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, making him the legal successor to the Caesars of the western Roman Empire.

Following Charlemagne's death in 813 AD, his son Louis the Pious inherited the throne.

Charlemagne's grandsons fought over the kingdom, leading to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD, which divided the Holy Roman Empire into three sections: Francia Orientalis, Francia Occidentalis (approximating modern France's borders), and Francia Media.

Understand that the new kingdoms were unstable, and France endured another 300 years of warfare, further complicated by Viking raids.