The byzantine empire & Russia AP World History
Classical era Review Classical Greece (500 BCE – 323 BCE) Competing city-states due, in part, to geography Could unify against outside threats (Persian Wars) Conquered by Macedonians (Phillip II, AtG’s father) Commercial agriculture using slavery Wine & olive oil Polytheism Rise of Greek Rationalism (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, etc.) Strictly patriarchal (with exceptions - Sparta, Aspasia) Famous for the arts Architecture, literature, etc.
Greek cultural accomplishments
Alexander the great
Alexander the Great
Accomplishments of the Hellenistic era Library at Alexandria Astronomy Geocentric Theory vs. Heliocentric Theory Eratosthenes calculated the Earth’s circumference Mathematics Euclid’s Elements (465 geometry propositions & proofs) Pythagoras developed Pythagorean theorem Archimedes of Syracuse Estimated the value of pi, law of lever, pulley systems, catapult, Archimedes principal (displacement) etc.
The Roman Republic
The roman Republic
Roman expansion
Fall of the Roman Republic
Roman Empire Roman Empire Roman Government Republic replaced by monarchy (Augustus Caesar) Citizenship, the law (Twelve Tables), & the military Commercial economy (slavery) Thriving trade on the Mediterranean & Silk Roads Polytheistic Rise of religions of salvation (Christianity) Strictly patriarchal Most noted for engineering accomplishments The Colosseum, the Pantheon, aqueducts, roads, etc.
Roman accomplishments
Fall of the Roman Empire 164 – Antonine Plague spreads through Rome 180 – End of Pax Romana 300 – Diocletian divides the Empire 313 – Constantine legalizes Christianity 410 – Visigoths sack Rome 455 – Vandals sack Rome 476 – Fall of the Western Roman Empire Diocletian chooses to rule the Eastern half of the Roman Empire. What does this say about the Western half?
East vs. West Why was the fall of the western Roman Empire more severe than the eastern Roman Empire? What were the consequences of the fall of the western half of Empire? Eastern half?
Eastern Rome: A Survivor Society Constantine established the Eastern capital at Byzantium Constantinople Reasons for Survival Higher level of civilization Fewer nomadic invasions Geography Prosperous commerce Stronger military
The Empire Continued Continued to use many late Roman ideas roads taxation military structure court system law codes Christianity Attempt to preserve Roman legacy Called themselves Romans Forbid German or “barbarian” customs Could not wear boots, pants, or clothing made of animal skins Could not have long hair
Justinian (527-565) Byzantine empire reached greatest size under Justinian (527-565) Wanted to rebuild Roman Empire Temporarily regained North Africa, Italy and southern Spain Wife, Theodora, had considerable power Rebuilt Constantinople Hagia Sophia Justinian’s Code
Byzantine Empire under Justinian
Hagia Sophia
Inside the hagia sophia
Afro-Eurasia in 600 CE
The New Roman Empire Never as large as the Roman Empire Arab conquests in 7th century resulted in loss of Syria/Palestine, Egypt, & North Africa Political authority centralized in Constantinople Emperor claimed to be God’s representative on Earth “Peer of the Apostles” Borrowed Persian & Greek court rituals
Afro-Eurasia in 800 CE
Decline of the Empire Begins to decline in 1085 Expansion by rising European powers The Crusades The Fourth Crusade (1204) Turkish Muslims – Seljuks Decline slowed by “Greek fire” Empire falls in 1453 Constantinople conquered by Ottoman Turks
Byzantine Challenges
Afro-Eurasia in 1400 CE
Byzantine Economy Byzantine coins were the standard currency for region Manufacturing center Glassware & mosaics Thriving silk industry Process spread from China Government regulated production of silk Established banks and business partnerships Taxed merchandise that passed through empire No single person could weave, dye, or sell silk. Jobs divided to prevent the creation of a monopoly.
The “New Rome” - Constantinople Political, economic, and cultural heart of the empire Largest city in Europe Nearly 1 million people Important trade city Western anchor of Eurasian trade routes Silk Roads Europe’s busiest marketplace
Constantinople in Byzantine Times
Byzantine Society Early emperors prevented wealthy from seizing peasant’s land Theme System Army recruited soldiers from peasant class Peasants received land for service Free peasantry replaced by large estates in the 11th century Led to declining tax revenue Size of the army decreased Frequent peasant revolts Zealots of Thessalonica (1342-1350)
Byzantine Culture Cultural Foundations Byzantine Education Christian beliefs Greek learning Roman engineering Byzantine Education State-organized schools Widespread literacy Chariot Races Blues vs. Greens Riot of 532
Orthodox Christianity Byzantine emperors combined political and religious authority Caesaropapism Appointed the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church Empire AND the church were essential for achieving salvation Orthodox or “right thinking” provided a cultural identity separate from Roman Catholicism Similarities: The Bible, sacraments, church structure, missionary activity, & intolerant of other religions
Orthodox/Catholic Similarities The Bible Sacraments Church hierarchy of patriarchs (bishops, priests, etc.) Missionary activity Intolerant of other religions
The Great Schism - 1054 Orthodox Christianity Roman Catholic Christianity Eastern Europe Constantinople Greek Iconoclasm Priests could marry Easter Caesaropapism Western Europe Rome Latin Support use of icons Priests remain celibate Christmas Pope They also disagree on: The nature of the Trinity Relative importance of faith and reason
Effects of the Great Schism
Rise of Russia Area inhabited by Slavs Vikings arrive using river system Set up state based on trade & conquest around 9th Century State founded by Rurik Capital at Kiev People called Rus
Russia & Christianity Prince Vladimir converted in 989 Converted for trade, commercial reasons Elites baptized by order of prince, often against will Served as conduit for spread of Byzantine culture, religion Cyrillic Alphabet Famous Russian onion domes
Kievan Rus “Third Rome” Decentralized government Divided into provinces Constant strife between boyars and princes Constant threat of nomadic invasion