1. Eastern Europe: A Blend of Traditions Chapter 9 Byzantium & Orthodox Europe

2. Byzantine Empire Continuation of E. Roman Empire Faced constant military threats – Establishment of Constantinople – Ruled by separate emperors – Used Greek – Becomes a bridge (culture & trade) & buffer (recurrent threat of invasion) Political Developments

3. Politics – cont. Constantine – Role in church – Ccaesaropapism – Professional bureaucracy Justinian – Renewal of Constantinople – Temporary recovery of Roman lands – Systematizing Roman law

4. Politics – cont. Military organization – Tagmata – Thema Defense against invasion – 565-867 – 867-1025 – 1100-1453

5. Economy & Society Strategic position for trade – Life of peasants Life of women – Losing rights – Yet, political influence

6. Cultural Achievements Blend of Greek & Orthodox – Greek influence on education – Orthodox influence on icons Orthodoxy – Cyril & Methodius – 1054: split with western Catholicism

7. E. Europe - Russia Birth of Russian civ – Mix of Slav & Norse Kiev – Conversion to Orthodox – Cyrillic – Conquered by Mongols

8. Question In what ways was Byzantium a cultural and economic bridge? In what ways was Byzantium a buffer? What traditions blend to create Byzantium?