Ch. 9 – Eastern Europe: Byzantium and Orthodox Europe

The Byzantine Empire Constantine built Constantinople as his capital in the 4th century Became the Byzantine Empire’s capital when the Roman Empire split Empire’s political style defined by complex administration around a remote emperor Emperor was surrounded by elaborate ceremonies Greek became the empire’s official language

Constantinople – 2 ½ mins

Byzantine Empire – 2 mins

Justinian Justinian’s contributions included Rebuilding the capital, including Hagia Sophia Systemizing the Roman legal code His general, Belisarius, helped the Empire expand in the 6th century

Rule of Justinian – 1 min

Empire also defeated challenges from Bulgaria to the west Justinian’s successors were able to hold off Arab invaders from the east Empire also defeated challenges from Bulgaria to the west “Greek fire” was an instrumental weapon Empire’s size and strength was greatly reduced overall

Greek Fire?

Byzantium Structure Political system had remarkable similarities to the early patterns in China Emperor was held ordained by God Head of church and state Women could (and did) serve as emperor An elaborate bureaucracy organized the empire socially, politically, economically Cultural life blended Hellenism and Orthodox Christianity

Split and Decline In 1054 the church split into two traditions: Western (Roman Catholic) Eastern (Orthodox) Empire entered a long period of decline following the church schism Turks overran Constantinople in 1453

Decline of Byzantium – 3 mins

Spread of Civilization in Eastern Europe Christian missionaries like Cyril and Methodius helped bring Orthodoxy north Russia and the Balkans Created a new alphabet: Cyrillic Roman Catholicism competed for converts in Eastern Europe Jews migrated in great numbers They valued education and literacy Gained strength in local commerce

Kievan Rus’: Beginnings of Russia Kievan Rus’ began along the trade route between Scandinavia and Constantinople Gained influence and power after Vladimir converted to Orthodox Christianity around 1000 CE State soon developed its own Russian Orthodox Church Yaroslav issued unifying code of laws

Russian Orthodox Church – 1 min

Russian Social and Political Structure Russian culture borrowed much from Byzantium Bureaucracy and education system were not as developed Boyars (Russian nobility) were less powerful than their western counterparts

Decline of Kievan Rus’ Mongol invasions (Tartars, or Tatars) was a factor Aided by rival princes Also aided by the fall of the Byzantine Empire The region was cut off from western contacts Stifled economic, political, cultural sophistication

Review Approximately what years did the Byzantine Empire last from? What was the most important “stepchild” of the Byzantine empire? What was the great church built in Constantinople by Justinian? What became the official language of the eastern empire of Byzantium?

Review (cont) When did the Byzantine Empire begin? Who was Justinian’s general? Who tried to restore the Roman Empire? Who was a threat to Byzantium from the EAST? Who was a threat to Byzantium from the WEST?

Review (cont) What was the name of the Byzantium special weapon? Name some primary exports of Byzantium. What is the type of Christianity that emerged in the Byzantine Empire? What were some issues that caused the split between Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches?

Review (cont) What group of people conquered Kievan Russia? What year did Constantinople and the Byzantium Empire fall to the Ottoman Turks? Cultural life in the Byzantine Empire was most influenced by what tradition? Was Kievan Russia influenced by western Europe? How did Russia develop? Who controlled Kievan Russia after 1236? How did the Mongol (Tatar) rule impact Russia?