Civilization in Eastern Europe: Byzantium and Orthodox Europe

I. Byzantine Empire -Part of the Roman Republic -Continued to flourish at Rome’s decline -Developed own form of civilization A.Origins 1.Constantine established the “new” Roman capital 2.Greek became the official language (6 th century) 3.Region prosperous for commerce

I. Byzantine Empire B.Justinian’s Achievements 1.6 th century 2.Attempted to reconquer western territories – FAILED 3.Had to rebuilt Constantinople Hagia Sophia: Church, architectural achievement 4.Codified Roman law – reduced legal confusion

I. Byzantine Empire C.Arab Pressure and Empire’s Defenses 1.Concentrated on defenses to the East 2.Empire centered in Balkans and Turkey 3.Blended Hellenistic culture and Christianity 4.7th century – attacked by Arab Muslims a.Left a permanent Muslim threat b.Free rural population weakened c.Aristocracy influence grew

I. Byzantine Empire D.Byzantine Society and Politics 1.Political patterns resembled early Chinese system a.Emperor was ordained by God b.Surrounded by elaborate court rituals c.Headed both Church and State d.Bureaucracy supported imperial authority e.Aristocrats dominated the official class, but any person could become part of the official class 2.Military a.Troops were recruited locally b.Given land in return for service c.Hereditary military leaders gained political power

I. Byzantine Empire D.Byzantine Society and Politics cont… 3.Bureaucracy a.Regulated trade and food prices b.Peasants supplied the food and tax revenue 4.Commercial network a.Extended into Asia, Russia, Scandinavia, W. Europe, and Africa b.Silk production added value to area c.Merchant class never developed any political power 5.Cultural life a.Centered on Hellenistic secular traditions b.Orthodox Christianity c.Little artistic creativity

I. Byzantine Empire E.Split between Eastern and Western Christianity – “Great Schism” 1.Different rituals grew from Greek and Latin versions of the Bible 2.Resisted papal interference 3.Hostile against Charlemagne when he tried to become Roman emperor 4.The straw that broke the camels back… Argument over type of bread to be used in mass AND celibacy of priests 5.Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodox resulted

I. Byzantine Empire F.Empire’s Decline 1.Began in 11 th century 2.Muslim Turkish invaders seized most of Asian territories (food and tax revenue) 3.Crusaders sacked Constantinople – Smaller empire struggled to survive until 1453 when Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople

II.Spread of Civilization in Eastern Europe -Influence spread among the Balkans and southern Russia -9 th century: missionaries Cyril and Methodius devised written script, Cyrillic, served as base for Slavic language A.Emergence of Kievan Rus’ 1.Slavic peoples from Asia that migrated into Russia 2.Possessed iron and extended agriculture 3.Political organization focused on family tribes and villages 4.Monarchy emerged at Kiev under Danish merchant, Rurik 5.Prosperous commercial center 6.Vladimir I – converted to Orthodox Christianity

Spread of Civilization in Eastern Europe B.Institutions and Culture in Kievan Rus’ 1.Borrowed a lot from Byzantine Empire 2.Favored Byzantine ceremonials 3.Concept of a strong ruler 4.Orthodox Christian practices mixed with Russian culture a.Devotion to God’s power b.Ornate churches, icons, and monasticism c.Literature and art focused on religious events d.Almsgiving: obligation of wealthy to help the poor 5.Boyars: aristocratic landlords of peasants (free farmers)

Spread of Civilization in Eastern Europe C.Kievan Decline 1.Began in 12 th century 2.Rival princes established competing governments 3.Asian invaders seized territory as trade diminished 4.Mongol invasions incorporated Russian territory 5.Tatar: Mongols, separated Russia from western developments 6. Tolerant as long as tribute was paid

Spread of Civilization in Eastern Europe D.End of an era in eastern Europe -Mongol invasion + decline of Russia + collapse of Byzantium = difficult period, period of isolation from western development -Western and Eastern Europe evolved separately

Key terms JustinianTatars Hagia SophiaByzantine Empire BulgariaConstantinople IconsOrthodox Christian IconoclasmConstantine Cyril and MethodiusHuns KievHellenistic Culture Vladimir ITsar/Czar Russian OrthodoxyCyrillic alphabet BoyarsRurik

Checking for Understanding -Evaluate the significant of the Byzantine Empire to the civilization of Europe  Byzantine Empire was the birth place of Orthodox Christianity  Created an alternative to Catholicism  Russia influenced by this empire and claimed to be their heir  Two most significant contributions to Europe

Checking for Understanding -Compare Byzantine and Chinese political organization  Emperor’s ordained by God  Head of church and state  Surrounded by elaborate court rituals symbolized the ideals of a divinely inspired, all-powerful ruler  Emperor appointed bishops  Passed religious and secular laws

Checking for Understanding -Assess why eastern Europe fell behind western Europe in terms of political development  Soon after the split between the East and West, eastern Europe declined  West began to develop own strengths  Feudal monarchy developed 1400  Provided stronger and more effective regional and national governments

Checking for Understanding -Analyze the reasons for the decline of the Byzantine Empire  Began after the split between the East and West  Turkish invaders destroyed the Emperor’s army  Independent Slavic kingdoms ignored requests for help  Crusaders sacking Constantinople  Turks eventual control and take over