The Eastern Roman Empire

After the Roman empire collapsed in the West, the Eastern Roman Empire became the center of civilization. The capital of the Eastern Roman Empire was Byzantium or Constantinople as it came to be known.

Due to its location, it controlled trade between Asia and Europe.

Politics in Constantinople Senate still met as in Rome but the emperor had absolute power. Emperors were the head of both the church and the state. Justinian was a strong and important emperor.

Justinian’s most important contribution was his Code. The code summarized the laws of many of the provinces of the Roman Empire. Using these summaries, Justinian created new laws. Law students were taught how to use the code.

Religion was important to the Byzantine Empire. People debated issues such as the nature of God and Jesus. The church was connected to the government. Icons were pictures of Mary, Jesus, and holy figures that were sold in markets. Those that objected to these figures were called iconoclasts.

Icons

Iconoclasts were one of the reasons the Christian church split in 1054 A.D. Roman priests could not marry, Eastern priests married. The pope led the church in Rome, the patriarch led the Eastern Church. The churches became known as the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox.

The architecture of Constantinople combines elements of Greece as well as the East. Hagia Sophia

The Spread of Islam In the 600s Arab victories claimed the lands in Syria, Palestine, Egypt, northern Africa and Spain. Bedouins were the Arabs from the desert who were nomads and worshipped many gods and spirits.

Mohammed’s Life Orphaned at six Was not literate Was a successful merchant Came to believe in one god, Allah (the same god worshipped by the Jews and Christians) left Mecca for Medina (This time was known as hegira meaning flight.)

Mohammed created Islam Islam means “surrender to God.” The Koran contains the teachings of Mohammed.

The Five Pillars of Islam Faith Prayer Alms Fasting Pilgrimage

Islam spread through jihads or “holy wars.” Muslims conquered Spain, Portugal, North Africa, Palestine, and the Fertile Crescent. The Koran written in Arabic was considered the only true word so it spread easily through Arab lands.

Muslim Empire

Arabs were tolerant rulers who treated the Jews and Christians with respect.

Islam split into two sects. Shi’ites are the minority group who believe that Mohammed’s grandson, Husayn, was the rightful caliph. The Sunni are the orthodox Muslims and are in the majority in the Muslim world.

Accomplishments of Islam Translated Greek books into Arabic First chemical laboratories Treatment of disease (diagnosed smallpox and wrote an encyclopedia of medicine) Created algebra Arabic numerals Wrote the Arabian Nights