1. Chapter 10
The Byzantine World

3. I. Constantine Review A. Background to Emperor
Battle of Mulvian Bridge
Constantine Cross
Quickly acquainted with early Church leaders
B. Constantine as Emperor
Sole Emperor of Rome
New Capital – Byzantium (Constantinople)
313 AD Edict of Milan (toleration of ALL religions)
Hippodrome video

5. C. Constantine & Christian Struggles
Arian Heresy (see pg )
(threatened “schism” or division in church)
Constantine just wants them to “get along” – keep “unity” in Empire
Calls for ecumenical council (worldwide council) of church leaders
323 AD Council of Nicea

6. Arian question addressed
Council of Nicea
Arian question addressed
Date of celebration of Paschal/Easter celebration set
Meletian Schism addressed (people re-entering church after lapse in faith – how does church treat this?)
Constantine DID NOT decide on books of
Christian Bible – this is NOT historically accurate
Council of Trent decided on Catholic canon in 1546
Church of England decided on its canon (Thirty-nine Articles) in 1563
Greek Orthodox church closed its canon in 1672

7. II. Union of Church & State
A. Council of Nicea under Constantine
B. Theodosius (380 AD) – Christianity the “Official
Religion” of Roman Empire
Caesaropapism (vesting of all spiritual
& political authority in one person)
Four Eastern Churches
Constantinople
Antioch
Jerusalem
Alexandria

8. The following are links to a YouTube video from the History Channel – Engineering an Empire – The Byzantine Greeks. Please watch the following video series and make sure you take notes – especially on the contributions of the Emperors.
Engineering an Empire – The Byzantine Greeks Part 1/5
Engineering an Empire – part 2/5
Engineering an Empire – part 3/5
Engineering an Empire – part 4/5
Engineering an Empire – part 5/5

9. Basilica Cistern
Wall of Theodosius

10. III. Early Byzantium – Challenges & Survival
A. Julian ( AD)
Apostate – tried to revive Paganism
Rule plagued with outside invaders – Persians
B. Justinian & Theodora ( AD)
(see page in text)
Caesaropapist (Coronation of Emperors)
Codified law
Attempted to reunite empire (failed attempts – war)
“One God, One Empire, One Religion”
Paganism Persecuted
Nika Revolt
Building Programs initiated
(bridges, roads, underground reservoirs)

13. C. Crisis in 7th Century Bubonic Plague (Justinian’s Plague)
630 AD – Islamic invaders
Material losses to empire as result of wars (see pg. 243 in textbook)

14. D. Eastern Christianity Culture & Conflict
Deeply Christian – Eastern
Early Christianity produces High Art/Architecture
Iconoclasm (image breaking) controversy (pg. 244 in textbook)
1054 Great Schism in Church – divides East and West Church
Interesting Examples of Byzantine Art:
Byzantine Art
Note that the art is full of Christian symbolism.
Most of their art centered around the State religion.

15. East (Constantinople)
Division of Church East v. West
East (Constantinople)
West (Rome)
Mystical – other wordly
Practical
Paralleled hierarchy of government
Monasticism – imposed on clergy
Could marry
NO marriage
Rejected Catholic doctrine of Purgatory
Purgatory
Permitted Divorce
NO divorce
Vernacular language (people)
Latin language for liturgies
Relied on Bible and ecumenical council to define
Looked to Church (Pope) to define
Evolved as a community of independent churches
Papal Authority (ONE church)
Eventually East and West excommunicate each other!

16. IV. Russia (Read pages 249 – end of Chapter)
A. 1st Period ( AD)
State established & consolidated
Kiev as capital
Olga
B. 2nd Period ( AD)
Vladimir & Christianity

17. Cyril & Methodius
Codex – Cyril Alphabet

18. Consequences of Vladimir & Christianity for Russia:
1. Russia attaches self to church & idea of caesaropapism
2. Weakening Byzantine empire made Russia (by default) leader of Eastern Orthodox Church
3. Beneficiary of Byzantine culture & heritage (art, etc.)
Vladimir:
Legal code
Built churches
Great commerce & wealth

19. Please look at the following National Geographic Website on the current state of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Russia:
Russian Orthodox Church - National Geographic Article/Pictures
C. 3rd Period (1054 – 1450 AD)
Marked by chaos & division between Vladimir’s sons
Capital moved north to city of Vladimir
Mongols capture Kiev in 1450 AD