Background 300 Constantine establishes 2 nd capital in the Roman Empire—Constantinople 476 Roman Empire Falls Holy Roman Empire in the West--Pope Byzantine Empire in the East--Emperor Both Catholic

Byzantine Empire Once part of the greater roman Empire Flourished from an eastern Mediterranean base after Rome declined Inherited and continued some of Rome’s heritage, but developed its own civilization.

Constantinople Constantine established Constantinople – Greek is the official language – Benefited from the former Hellenistic world and region’s prosperous commerce

Arab Pressure Empire centered in the Balkans, western and central Turkey, blending Christianity and Hellenistic culture Withstood Advance of Arab Muslims – Free rural population, provider of military recruits and taxes were weakened – Aristocratic class grew larger – 10 th C. Strongest contemporary ruler

Society and Politics Emperor ordained by God, surrounded by elaborate court ritual Women occasionally held the throne Bureaucracy supported imperial authority Officials recruited from all social classes Troops recruited locally and given land in return for service in the military Developed regional power and displaced better educated aristocrats.

Social and Economic Depended upon Constantinople’s control of the country side Bureaucracy regulated trade and food prices Peasants supplied the food and provided most tax revenues Urban class was kept satisfied by low food prices Widespread commercial network

Social and Economic Commercial network extended into Asia, Russia, Scandinavia, Western Europe and Africa Silk production was a large export Merchant class never developed political power

Split between East and West Culture, political organization and economic orientation help explain the rift between the eastern and western versions of Christianity Hostility over Charlemagne (Frankish King) to be the next Roman Emperor (Western Ruler)

Split between East and West 1054 – Arguments over type of bread (yeast) used in the mass and the issue of priest celibacy – West translates the Greek bible into Latin – Byzantine emperor resents Papal attempts to interfere in Icon disputes Catholic Church in the West Greek Orthodox in the East Become and remain separate, but continue to share a common classic heritage

Empire’s Decline Muslim Turkish invaders seized almost all of the empire’s Asian provinces Removed the most important sources of taxes and food Independent Slavic states appeared in the Balkans Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204 Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453