The Roman Catholic Church in Medieval Europe

Because it was the only place for religious worship

Because it influenced many aspects of daily life, including community activities, education, and social services

Because it was the largest building in every town

Because it collected taxes from everyone

Augustus

Constantine

Nero

Justinian

Disagreement over taxes

Appointment of Church officials

Translation of the Bible

Construction of cathedrals

To support religious worship

To decorate homes

To celebrate military victories

To teach mathematics

Flying buttresses

Gargoyles

Stained-glass windows

Domed roofs

Clergy

Peasants

Merchants

Farmers

Aristotle

Plato

Socrates

Augustine

Christmas and Easter; Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus.

Halloween and Thanksgiving; Halloween celebrates saints and Thanksgiving celebrates the harvest.

New Year's and Pentecost; New Year's celebrates the start of the year and Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit.

Valentine's Day and All Souls' Day; Valentine's Day celebrates love and All Souls' Day remembers the dead.

Caring for the poor and sick

Copying religious texts

Farming land and raising livestock

Leading armies into battle

To visit holy sites and relics; challenges included long journeys and threats from robbers.

To find new lands to settle; challenges included harsh weather and wild animals.

To trade goods with other regions; challenges included language barriers and high taxes.

To escape religious persecution; challenges included lack of food and shelter.

The Knight

The Student Cleric

The Wife of Bath

The Squire

It was only a place for religious worship.

It was the center of community activity and daily life.

It had little to no impact on people's lives.

It was only used for special occasions.