Part I: Byzantium

Christianity had provided common ground for postclassical societies in western Eurasia After Rome’s collapse Christendom was deeply divided: Byzantine Empire and Western Europe Byzantines continued Roman Imperial traditions Western Europe attempted to hang on to Classical world Roman imperial order disintegrated in the West

Western Europe followed Roman Catholic church Catholic church established independence from political authorities Eastern Christianity became known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity (Byzantines) Eastern Orthodox Church was under authority of Byzantine emperor Western Europe was much more rural than Byzantium Western Europe had a 600 year period of slow growth Civilization began emerging at an increasing pace after 1000 c.e. In 500 c.e., only about one-third of all Christians lived in Europe Many distinct forms of Christianity in other Afro-Eurasian regions

Byzantine empire has no clear starting point Continuation of the Roman Empire Constantinople founded in 330c.e. by Emperor Constantine Some scholars use this date as beginning Formal division of Roman Empire into eastern and western halves in late fourth century c.e. W. empire collapsed in 5th century; E. half survived another 1,000 years Eastern empire contained ancient civilizations: Egypt, Greece, Syria, and Anatolia

Wealthier and more urbanized Capital (Constantinople) was easier to defend Shorter frontier Access to the Black Sea gave command of E. Mediterranean Stronger army, navy, and merchant marine Continuation of Roman infrastructure and traditions

Empire was much smaller than Roman Empire Byzantine Emperor Justinian attempted to reconquer western territory in 6 th century, but failed Elaborate bureaucracy supported Emperor Government bureaucrats trained in Hellenistic (Greek) studies in secular schools Social mobility! Generals had civil authority in the provinces raised armies from peasants Political authority tightly centralized in Constantinople Emperor ruled as God’s representative on earth Awesome grandeur of court (based on ancient Persian style) Mostly concerned with tax collection and keeping order

Territory began to shrink after 1085 Muslim Turks had taken most Asian regions by late 11 th century Independent kingdoms began forming in Balkans In 1260 army of Western European crusaders sacked Constantinople Byzantines appealed to Roman Catholic Church for help against Muslim attacks In 1453 Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, ended empire

Church was closely tied to the state: caesaropapism (emperor as pope) Byzantine emperor was head of both the state and the Church Emperor appointed the patriarch (head of Orthodox church) Emperor sometimes made decisions on religious issues Emperor could call church councils Orthodox Christianity deeply influenced all of Byzantine life Legitimated imperial rule Provided cultural identity Religious icons/images/buildings everywhere in Byzantine society

Latin Christianity (Western) was centered on the Pope and Rome Eastern Orthodox did not recognize Papal authority Rise of Islam made Constantinople and Rome the sole centers of Christendom No more Jersualem Numerous cultural differences (language, philosophy, belief, church practices) caused growing divide Theological diffs inc.: priests shaving, celibacy, raised bread, etc. Byzantines =Greek, Roman Catholicism = latin Western Europe saw Byzantines as crumbling power Byzantines saw Western Europe as barbarians Schism occured in 1054, with mutual excommunication Ex-communication = cut off from God Crusades (from 1095 on) worsened the situation During 4th Crusade, Westerners sacked Constantinople (1204) Ruled Byzantium for next 50 years

Geographic position was extremely important Byzantium had a foot in both Europe and Asia Continued long Roman fight with Persian Empire (Sassanids) Conflict weakened both states, left them open to Islamic conquests Persia was conquered by Islam; Byzantium lost territory Byzantium was a central player in long-distance Eurasian trade Byzantine gold coins (bezants) were major Mediterranean/Silk Road currency for over 500 years Byzantine crafts (jewelry, textiles, purple dyes, silk) were in high demand Byzantine gov’t maintained monopoly on certain key goods (very profitable)

Important cultural influence on surrounding regions Transmitted ancient Greek learning to Islamic world and West Transmitted Orthodox Christianity to Balkans and Russia Byzantine missionaries Cyril and Methodius created a written language to help transmit Christianity in Russia and Balkan region Invented the dome- heavily used in W. Europe after renaissance Great example is Hagia Sophia – church ordered built by Emperor Justinian Maintained Roman laws under the title Body of Civil Law Became basis for W. Europe civil law