The Byzantine Empire (Topic 6)

Pages 346-350

The Byzantine Empire- In the fourth century, a separation between the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire. Germanic tribes moved west and established themselves. The Roman Empire continued in the east, centered on Constantinople. The eastern Roman Empire developed into the Byzantine Empire.

Germanic tribes- nomadic people moved into the lands of the Roman Empire and settled in Western Roman Empire. Important component of the new European civilization. German Kings set up new states. German and Romans intermarried, creating new a new society.

Constantinople- city on the shores of the Black Sea. Formerly known as Byzantium. Now known as Istanbul. The Roman Empire thrived in the east, centered on the city of Constantinople.

The Reign of Justinian (527-565)- Justinian was the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. Determined to reestablish the Roman Empire in the entire Mediterranean world. His empire included Italy, part of Spain, North Africa, Asia Minor, Palestine, and Syria.

Belisarius- commanded Justinian’s armies. The best general of the late Roman world.

Vandals- defeated by Justinian’s armies in two major battles in North Africa.

Ostrogoths- defeated by Justinian’s armies in the Italian peninsula.

Lombards- conquered much of Italy only three years after Justinian’s death.

Codification of Roman Law- Corpus Iuris Civilis (The Body of Civil Law) a codification of Roman Law that remained the basis of imperial law in the Eastern Roman Empire until 1453. Written in Latin. Eventually used in the west. Basis of the legal systems of continental Europe.

From Eastern Roman to Byzantine Empire- Conversion of Eastern Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire.

Persians- attacked the empire from the east

Slavs- attacked the empire from the north.

Monotheistic- having only one God.

Islam- a monotheistic religion and culture, a way of life. Meaning “submission to the will of Allah.” Based on the teachings of Muhammad.

Allah is the all-powerful being who created the Universe and everything in it.
Concerned with salvation and offers the hope of an afterlife.
Those who wish to achieve it must subject themselves to the will of Allah.
Makes no claim to the divinity of its founder. Muhammad is just a man.
Allah sent his final revelation through Muhammad.
The five Pillars.
Koran- meaning “recitation”, the heart of Islam.

Serious challenge to the Eastern Roman Empire. Unified Arab forces created a powerful new force that swept through the east.

Balkans- problems arose on the northern frontier. Bulgars had arrived and defeated the eastern Romans and took possession of the lower Danube valley, creating a strong Bulgarian kingdom.

Byzantine Empire- Eastern Roman Empire was transformed into this civilization with its own unique character. It would last until 1453.

Both a Greek and Christian state.
Latin feel into disuse as Greek became both the common and official language of the empire.
Empire built on a faith in Jesus that was shared by all citizens.
Enormous amount of artistic talent- shown by construction of churches, church ceremonies, and church decoration.
Spiritual principles deeply permeated in Byzantine art.
Emperor as crucial. Chosen by God. Power considered absolute. Appointed the head of the Church. Control over Church and State.
Patriarch- head of the Church.

Life In Constantinople-

Largest city in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Europe’s greatest commercial center, chief marketplace where eastern and western products were exchanged.
Silk cloth- the most lucrative product
Emperor Theodosius II (408-450) erected a huge defensive wall on the landside in order to protect the city. Emperor before Justinian.
Hippodrome-a huge arena, part of the palace complex. A huge amphitheater, constructed of brick and marble, holding between 40,000 and 60,000 spectators. Gladiator fights, chariot races.
Charioteers- warriors ho fought on another while riding in chariots. Were considered heroes and honored with public status.
Palaces, slums, and tenements ran alongside each other.
Justinian built roads, bridges, walls, law courts, public baths, and an underwater reservoir. Also, built schools, hospitals, monasteries, and churches.
Hagia Sophia- Justinian’s greatest achievement. A church. Meaning “the Church of the Holy Wisdom.” Completed in 537.

Hagia Sophia- A church completed in 537. Constructed under Justinian by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Italy.

Center consisted of four large piers crowned by an enormous dome.
Forty-two windows, which allows a lot of light. This gave the appearance that the dome was floating. Light reminds the worshippers of God. Light represents invisible spirit that illuminates the world.
The pulpits and plaques bore inscriptions from the Koran, when the Turks converted this church into a mosque, in the 15th century.

New Heights and New Problems-Decline of the Byzantine Empire.

Byzantine Empire- By 750, consisted of Asia Minor, some lands in the Balkans, and the southern coast of Italy.

Asia Minor- the heartland of the empire and its main source of food and labor.

Macedonians- Byzantine emperors who ruled between 867-1081. This line of emperors managed to hold back the empire’s external enemies and switch to the offensive. Under their rule, the empire expanded to include Bulgaria in the Balkans, the islands of Crete and Cyprus, and Syria

Prospered economically by expanding trade relations with western Europe.
Sold silks and metalwork.
Constantinople flourished under their rule. It was the stuff of legends and fables.
Incompetent successors were unable to keep power and reversed their gains.
Struggle for power between aristocratic families and military leaders. Lead to social and political disorder.
Aristocratic- from aristocracy. Hereditary nobility in medieval Europe; a warrior class who shared a distinctive lifestyle based on the institution of knighthood, included social divisions within the group based on wealth.
The empire threatened by growing split between the Catholic Church of the west and the Eastern Orthodox church of the Byzantine Empire.
Pope Leo IX- head of the Catholic Church in 1054.
Patriarch Michael Cerularius- head of the Byzantine Church.
The two leaders excommunicated each other. Created a rift that has not completely healed.
Schism- split, division, break.

Seljuk Turks- moved into Asia Minor and was a threat to the stability of the empire. A nomadic people from Central Asia who converted to Islam and flourished as military mercenaries for the Abbasid caliphate. Known for their ability as mounted archers.

Emperor Romanus IV Diogenes- Byzantine emperor defeated by the Turks in 1071.

Emperor Alexius I Comnenus (1081-1118)- Turned to Europe for military assistance. This positive response from Europe led to the beginning of the Crusades.

Justin Shutt

Period 3

1/1/2005