Transcript Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire
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In 284 AD Diocletian became Roman emperor.
He decided that the huge Roman empire could
only be ruled effectively by splitting it into two
parts.
In 330 Diocletian’s successor, Constantine, rebuilt
the old Greek port of Byzantium, at the entrance to
the Black Sea. He renamed it Constantinople and
made the city the capital of the Eastern Roman
Empire.
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Byzantine enduring success attributable to
Justinian, his wife Theodora, and general Belisarius
Justinian was the most influential leader (527-565)
 Simplified Roman Law, which becomes known as
Justinian’s Code. Where we get the term “justice”
 Eunuchs were used as the emperor’s assistants.
 Extensive spy network.
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Constantinople’s Defenses: Triple-Walled, on a
Peninsula, Greek Fire. Halted armies from Europe.
Byzantine Empire left with serious problems after
his reign, losing territory to advancing Muslim
armies.
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Culture was based more on Greek traditions than
Roman
Break from Catholic Church and start Eastern
Orthodox Church
 Emperor becomes the leader of the Eastern Orthodox
Church, saw the Pope as the Bishop of Rome
 Spoke different languages, clergy could marry, different
chief holy days, in 1054 leaders excommunicated each
other. Treated each other like rivals
 Justinian built Hagia Sophia, church of Holy Wisdom,
greatest achievement.
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“Glory to God
who has judged
me worthy of
accomplishing
such a work. O
Solomon, I have
surpassed you!”
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Invasions
 Normans Conquer Southern Italy
 Seljuk Turks Advance Through Asia
Minor
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Crusades
 Trade rivalries lead to conflict with
Venice, losing trade routes and
draining wealth from the Empire
 Knights capture Constantinople
during Fourth Crusade.
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Ottoman Attack
 Constantinople is captured by
Turks in 1453
 Constantinople is transformed into
Muslim Istanbul
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Stood as the enduring symbol of Roman
Civilization.
Contributions in religious art and
architecture.
 Palaces and Churches blended Greek,
Roman, and Persian styles.
 Icons or holy images, gave people a
connection to the sacred.
 Mosaics brought scenes from the Bible to
life.
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Byzantine scholars preserved the classic
works of ancient Greece and Rome.
 As the empire faltered, scholars left
Constantinople to teach in Italian
universities, engendering the Renaissance.
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Area was broken up between, Anglo-Saxons,
Germanic tribes, and the Franks.
 The strongest kingdom to emerge was that of the
Franks. In 486 Frankish King Clovis conquered
Gaul and converted to Christianity.
 Charles Martel rallied Frankish warriors at the
battle of Tours in 732, defeating the advancing
Muslims. Victory as a sign.
 Pepin the Short -Donation of Constantine and
Papal States
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Role of the Church
 Bishop of Rome becomes the leader of the
Roman Catholic Church, called the Pope
 Petrine Theory
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Charlemagne was a famous Frankish King from 742814.
Son of Pepin the Short and Grandson of Charles Martel.
He spent most of his life in battle building an empire.
Saw an importance in education, though he couldn’t
read or write.
 Re-ignition of learning under Alcuin.
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He was coronate Roman Emperor on Christmas Day
600 A.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral. Significant because:
 300 years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire a
Roman Emperor was crowned.
 Increased divisions with Byzantine Empire
 Displayed papal supremacy
Henri Pirenne’s ThesisWithout Muhammad there
would be no Charlemagne.
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Feudalism- a new political and social system
where people offered protection in return for
service
Feudal Contract
 Set of unwritten rules and mutual pledges
 No single government, but powerful lords kept power
 Between lords and vassals, man who served a lord in a
military capacity.
▪ Vassals were responsible for military service, certain money
payments, and advice while the lord was responsible for
protecting his vassal.
▪ Serf was the lowest level
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Rise of Knights
 Chivalry- code of ethics knight were supposed to
uphold
 Fight for glory not material rewards
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Life in Castles
 Most important room was the ‘hall’
 Lighting was by candle, oil lamps or flares
 Fireplaces were a later attraction
Began using heavy wheeled plows, new
harnesses, and crop rotation to increase
food production
 Season determined peasant activity
 Bread was the main food, rarely had meat
 Cities had air and water pollution, smelled
of animal and human waste
 Guilds- business association
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 Members cooperated to protect their own
economic interests, to work in the trade you had
to be a member which prevented competition
 Apprentice-person who wants to learn a trade.
Not paid
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Start of the first universities
Lecture form of instruction
No consistent tests, just one final exam
 Bologna, Italy is the 1st university. (1088)
 Paris University becomes the first school in Northern
Europe (1170)
 Some teachers leave Paris University and start Oxford in
England (1249)
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Theology- study of religion and God was the most
highly regarded subject.
Latin was the language of the church and scholars,
however new writings began to appear in the
vernacular