1. Byzantine and Russia

2. Byzantine Empire 4th C. Western & Eastern Roman separated
Germanic tribes conquered West (Rome) but the East (Byzantine) remained intact 1000 years
Constantinople – major city
Justinian – Emperor of Eastern Empire;
Important contribution – Justinian code – The Body of Civil Law; codification of Roman law became foundation of the East; in Latin

5. Characteristics of Byzantium
Latin is slowly replaced by Greek; preserved Greek (classical) culture
Codified laws (Justinian)
Christian state – magnificent churches built (combined Greco-Roman & Persian), mosaics;
Emperor controlled church and state (theocracy)

6. Constantinople Largest city in Europe during Middle Ages
Center of great commerce (silk from China, spices from Asia, jewelry and ivory from India, wheat from Russia)
Silkworms smuggled into Byzantium from China to begin silk industry
Immense palaces, the Hippodrome (arena)
Justinian puts down “Nika Revolt” – see article; wife Theodora
Great public works, baths, schools, reservoirs, etc.

7. Problems in the empire Too much land to protect
Autocratic govt. – absolute power, lavish court
Empty treasury due to spending
Declining population due to plague
Renewed threats on the borders – Persians (east), Slavs (north), Arab world (Islam)

8. Problems
Growing split between Catholic Church of the West and Eastern Orthodox of Byzantine (didn’t accept Pope’s claim that he was head of the church)
Pope Leo IX – Schism (split) the Church
Byzantine lasts until 1453 when Ottoman Turks take over

9. Church Splits 1054 Catholic – Rome Pope Latin Priests can’t marry
No divorce
No icons
Orthodox – Const.
Patriarch
Greek
Priests can marry
Divorce allowed
Icons

10. Contributions Preserved Greek culture/learning
Adopted Roman ideas of law
Preserved Christianity (Orthodox)
Great center of wealth and trade
Art, philosophy, science, literature, education
Theatres, palaces, reservoirs (engineering & architecture)

11. Russia
Early Russians were likely Viking group (Rus) who settled and united Slavic groups; blended over time
Vladimir – Christian, strengthens Kiev
Kiev – main city; becomes Orthodox
Yaroslav – Vlad’s son; legal code; first library, Christianity prospered

12. Russia After death, declines – divided kingdom among sons
Further weakened by Crusades
Invasions by Mongols (Genghis Khan); destroyed Kiev and controlled Russia

13. Russia Mongols – brutal invaders; Genghis Khan
Demanded obedience and tribute
Allowed them to keep religion, customs, etc.
Khanate – Kingdom
Ivan III – Ended Mongol rule – standoff
Took title “czar”
Cyrillic language develops