The Worlds of European Christendom Chapter 9

By the 4th Century the Roman Empire splits After the Roman Empire By the 4th Century the Roman Empire splits Christian Europe is two parts: Eastern half = The Byzantine Empire Western half = Latin Christendom

The Byzantine Empire Mostly located in the Eastern Mediterranean basin Capital = Constantinople Gradually evolved into a distinctive civilization Eastern Orthodox Christianity

The Byzantines looked to Rome as a source of inspiration Continued the Roman practices of: Road building Tax systems Military structures Centralized government Laws Christian church As an empire it was MUCH smaller than Rome

The emperor was the head of the Empire as well as head of the church Caesaropapism Emperor was God’s representative on earth and the absolute ruler

Byzantium and the World Often at war with the Sasanian Empire (another Persian empire) “Greek Fire” – sort of like a flamethrower Helped them hold off the Islamic caliphates Major trade center during this period Commercial links to China, Western Europe, Russia, and Central Asia The empire also produced luxury goods (silk & jewelry) Culturally significant Preserved and spread ancient Greek learning to Islamic and European lands

What’s Happening in Russia? Kievan Rus – culturally diverse part of Eastern Europe An important region due to trade between the Byzantine Empire and Scandinavia In the 10th Century, Prince Vladimir of Kiev decided to affiliate himself with the Orthodox church Made the decision freely after considering Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism

Orthodox Vs. Catholicism Both believed in: Jesus The Bible Sacraments Church (bishops, priests, etc) Intolerance towards other religions Hierarchy

Icons – Greek for picture or likeness

What does this icon portray about the spiritual journey? What sources of help are available for the monks on the ladder? What message might the monks have taken from this image?

Western Christendom

Politics and Society 500-1000 War and disease reduced the population of Europe by 25% Cities in particular declined  people move back to the country Rome goes from 1,000,000 citizens to 10,000 by 900 C.E. Politically, Europe was a collection of regional kingdoms Feudalism emerges Independent, self-sufficient and isolated estates owned by warrior elites Peasants called SERFS lived on these estates NOT slaves but they exchanged labor/services with the lord of the estate for protection/safety In the absence of Roman authority it was the only source of security available to many people Ties to family, estate, and lord were the primary source of loyalty

The West from 1000-1300 From 500-1000 western Europe was under constant threat of invasion Muslims in Spain, Hungarians (Magyars), Vikings By 1000 the invasions had stopped Stability = Positive Change Also the climate of Europe warmed so agricultural output increased

Population doubled from 1000 – 1350 Also increased long distance trade which had almost disappeared with the fall of the Roman Empire

Two major trading networks Northern Europe to the Baltic Coast Northern Italy Florence, Genoa, and Venice traded with Islamic and Byzantine civilizations

Politics 1000-1300 Minor monarchs in Europe began to consolidate their authority France England Spain Scandinavia Italian city-states also became rich and powerful German princes remained loyal to the Holy Roman Empire

The Crusades As populations increased Europeans began to look outward at the world The Crusades reflected the new expansiveness and religious passion of Europe after 1000 First one in 1095 Religious wars NOT just Islam – also sacked Constantinople in 1204

Long Term Impact: Spain, Sicily, and the Baltics were permanently brought into Western Christendom The Byzantine Empire was severely weakened Increased interaction between the Middle East and Europe Greater demand for Asian luxury goods Technology/knowledge transferred from Islamic Empires to Europe

Quick review questions for your notebook… What replaced the Roman Order in Western Europe? In what ways did European civilization change after 1000? How did the historical development of the European West differ from that of Byzantium in the post classical era?