the christian empire (late roman and "byzantine")

The Christian Empire

TABLE OF CONTENTSPART I

The Triumph of Christianit

y(284-313)

PART II

The Clash of Creeds(313-395)

PART II

The “Byzantine”

Empire(395?-1453)

The Triumph of Christianity

TERMS LIST(All terms can be referenced online)1. Diocletian2. Tetrarchy3. Great

Persecution4. Constantine5. Battle of the

Milvian Bridge6. Labarum [Chi

Rho]7. Edict of Milan

Diocletian(r. 284-305)

• “Great Persecution”

• Tetrarchy [Next Slide]

Coin Photo by Ingsoc

Diocletian

Coin Photo by Ingsoc

(r. 284-305)

Tetrarchy

Map Credit: Coppermine Photo Gallery

Tetrarchy

• What do you see? What do you think these statues represent? Be specific.

Constantine vs. Maxentius

Battle of the Milvian Bridge

“CONQUER BY THIS.”

Roman Coin:Constantine Front / Labarum Back

Compare to Julian

Toleration• Edict of Milan

(313 AD)– Toleration for

Christians– End of persecution

The Clash of Creeds

TERMS LIST(All terms can be referenced online)1. Byzantium2. Constantinople3. Heresy4. Arianism5. Trinity6. Council of Nicea7. Creed8. Orthodoxy9. Julian the

Apostate10.Apostasy

11.Against the Galileans

12.Natural Religion13.Revealed

Religion14.School Edict

[Julian]15.Theodosius16.State Religion17.Thessalonica

Massacre18.Ambrose of

Milan19.Excommunicatio

n20.Penance

PRIMARY SOURCE:Julian the Apostate,Against the Galileans

1. Who was Julian referring to when he wrote of the “Galileans”? Why would he use this term?

2. What were Julian’s chief criticisms of the “Galileans”?

3. How would you characterize Julian’s own views of religion?

Complete the following in the Bell Ringer section of your notebook:

Constantinople

Council of Nicea• Edict of Milan

• Toleration for all religions (including Christians)

Council of Nicea• 325 A.D.• Called by

Constantine– Address Divisions– Arianism– Trinity

• Nicene Creed• Orthodoxy

Death of Constantine

Constantine accepted Christian baptism on his deathbed.

337 A.D.

© Konstantin TuncUsed with permission

PURGES

Constantine’s death resulted in purges of possible heirs to the throne.

Some rights reserved by Albion Europe ApS

Julian “the Apostate”

• Against the Galileans– Pamphlet against

Christianity

• School Edict– Teachers approved

by gov

• “You have won, Galilean!”

360-363

Roman Coin:Julian Front / Bull Back

Compare to Constantine

Theodosius(r. 379-395)

• LAST sole ruler of a united Roman Empire – [East/West divide after

death]

• Christianity as the OFFICIAL religion

• Closes Pagan temples – sends home Vestal Virgins

Ambrose (Bishop) of Milan)– PENANCE

Massacre in Thessalonica

Saint Ambrose and Emperor Theodosius, By Anthony van Dyck

THE “BYZANTINE” EMPIRE

TERMS LIST1. Fall of Rome [476]2. Byzantine3. Justinian4. Theodora5. Nika Riots6. Corpus Juris

Civilis7. Hagia Sophia8. Renovatio Imperii9. Belisarius 10.“Last of the

Romans”

11.Heraclius12.Hellenization13.Basileus14.Theme System15.Icons16.Iconoclast17.Iconodule18.Irene19.Seventh Ecumenical

Council20.Fall of

Constantinople [1453]

476 A.D.Fall of rome

Justinian I

• Renovatio Imperii• Belisarius• “Last of the Romans

”• Corpus Juris Civilis• Hagia Sophia• Sainthood

(r. 527-565)

Renovatio Imperii

Map Credit: http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_07_149.gif

TheodoraWife of Justinian

• Courtesan• Street-smart

– A key advisor

• Also a saint

NikA Riots

• High Taxation• Nika Riots

– Justinian murdered 30,000 to restore order

Hagia Sophia• “Holy Wisdom”• Completed 537 A.D.

• 1453-1935: Mosque• 1935-Present:

Museum

Online Resources:

Icon SlideshowThe Deesis Mosaic

Heraclius(r. 610-641)

• Hellenization

–Docs: Latin Greek– Note: Still “Roman”– Basileus [Title]

• Incessant Wars– Sassanid Empire

• Theme System– Civil and Military Gov Merged

• Contemporary of Muhammad

Iconoclast controversy(Eighth Century)

vs.IconoclastsIcon Breakers

IconodulesIcon Lovers

Iconodule

Adulation (to adore or worship)

ICONOCLAST

 Some rights reserved by BitBoy

In modern usage, someone who challenges established dogmas or

conventions

Chludov Psalter

They gave me

Vinegar

to drink. 

Iconodules win

The Contrast

Iconoclast Art in the Hagia Irene (Constantinople)

St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Greenville, SC)

Click photo for an e-tour.

Interested in Icons?

The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Washington, DC) is covered with them.

CLICKfor an e-tour

SEVENTH ECUMENICAL

COUNCIL(787 a.d.)

Restored the use of icons

SEVENTH ECUMENICAL

COUNCIL(787 a.d.)

LAST Church Council accepted by both Eastern

and Western Churches

The Empress, Irene, who ruled in her own right after the deaths of her sons, was canonized as a saint for her role in restoring the use of icons.

Irene (r. 797-802)

Double EagleA Symbol of

the Byzantine emperors

Symbolism:Church and State

East and West

The Decline

Map Credit: Varana

An Animated Map

1453Fall of Constantinople

to the Ottoman Turks