The Byzantine Empire and Orthodox Europe Chapter Nine Unit Two/AP World History Ms. Tully

Christendom – Third Wave Civilization Enjoyed global popularity in 6th/7th C Global contraction  European phenomenon Common culture/religion for Europe  spread North Great Schism of 1054 Series of contractions & expansions

Building on the Roman Past Byzantium  Constantinople 330 C.E. Division of Eastern/Western Roman Empire  Division of Eastern/Western Europe East wealthier, stronger  Byzantine Empire Conscious preservation of Greco-Roman past Hellenism + Roman Empire + Christianity = Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire High levels of political, economic, cultural activity from 500-1450 C.E. Center for interregional trade Frequent Invasions & Conflicts Greek instead of Latin Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Justinian (r. 527-565) Most significant ruler  desire to restore Roman glory Heavily influenced by his wife Theodora Codificiation of Roman Law Renovation of Constantinople  Hagia Sophia Reconquered western land  weakened empire

Byzantine Empire under Justinian

Hagia Sophia

Byzantine Politics Centralized authority in Constantinople Emperor head of state and church  casearopapsim Elaborate centralized bureaucracy Roman style military State-controlled economy Primary concern defense against Islamic invaders Empire’s strength/size reduced

The Split Between Eastern & Western Christianity Fundamental differences from start New doctrinal issues emerge 1054 – Mutual excommunication (Patriarch and Pope Leo IX) Great Schism  Church splits into two traditions: Greek/Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholicism

Eastern Orthodox Christianity Emperor also “Patriarch” of Orthodox church Networks of bishops and monasteries Numerous churches, iconography Spread to Balkans, Russia

The Decline of the Byzantine Empire Decline begins after 1054 (Schism) 1071: Battle of Manzikert - Seljuk Turks take territory Emergence of independent Slavic kingdoms in Balkans 1204: Western Crusaders sack Constantinople 1453: Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks

The Spread of Civilization in Eastern Europe Slavic language & culture dominated Eastern EU Orthodox Missionaries – Cyril & Methodius (864 CE) Conflict between Catholicism and Orthodoxy Large influx of Jews

The Emergence of the Kievan Rus’ Scandanavian trade routes develop in 6th/7th C Formation of Kievan Rus’ 855 CE @ Kiev Vladimir I converted kingdom to Christianity  Formation of Russian Orthodox Church

Trade Routes

Politics and Religion in Kievan Rus’ Largest single state in Europe Yaroslav – Last great Kievan prince Byzantine influence – court spectacle, luxury/ceremony, church traditions Religious influence in art – icons, illuminated manuscripts, literature Rise of boyars (aristocrats)

Kievan Decline Decline began in 12th C Influenced by Byzantine decline Mongol Invasions (1237-1238) & (1240-1241)  Tartars Orthodox Christianity & Russian culture remain  Third Rome

Global Connections Byzantine Empire Participated actively in interregional trade Constantinople: great trading city, connection between East and West Maintained strong empire despite rapid surge of Islam, as well as developing cultural innovations and Orthodox Christianity Kievan Rus’ Dependent on Byzantium as main trading connection Period of decline and isolation when Byzantium declines and Mongols invade East cut off from western contacts, which stifles economic, political, and cultural growth. This will occur just as the West will begin to grow and strengthen.

Discussion questions In what respects did Byzantium continue the patterns of the classical Roman Empire? In what ways did it diverge from those patterns? How did Eastern Orthodox Christianity differ from Roman Catholicism? In what ways was the Byzantine Empire linked to a wider world? Consider political, cultural, economic connections.