Byzantine BasicsByzantine Basics

• Continuation of Eastern portion of Continuation of Eastern portion of the Roman Empire the Roman Empire (the West fell (the West fell in 476 to Germanic invasions)in 476 to Germanic invasions)

• Ruled by Ruled by caesaropapistcaesaropapist ruler ruler ((combining secular and religious combining secular and religious authority authority in one person)in one person)

Compare and Contrast:Compare and Contrast:The West (Europe) v. ByzantinesThe West (Europe) v. Byzantines• West = breakdown of Roman West = breakdown of Roman

society, law, custom, languagesociety, law, custom, language

• Byzantine East = retain Roman laws, Byzantine East = retain Roman laws, customs, urban-centered life, & customs, urban-centered life, & Greek languageGreek language

• Both = Christian, BUTBoth = Christian, BUT– Great Schism = 1054; final division Great Schism = 1054; final division

between Eastern Orthodox (led by between Eastern Orthodox (led by patriarch) and Roman Catholic (led by patriarch) and Roman Catholic (led by pope) Christianitypope) Christianity

Byzantine AchievementsByzantine Achievements• Capital at Constantinople = Capital at Constantinople =

very cosmopolitan very cosmopolitan • Hagia Sophia Cathedral (“Scared Hagia Sophia Cathedral (“Scared

Wisdom”)Wisdom”)• Emperor Justinian (500s CE): “The Emperor Justinian (500s CE): “The

Lawgiver” (systematically compiled Lawgiver” (systematically compiled Roman Law); re-conquered parts of Italy & Roman Law); re-conquered parts of Italy & N. Africa in Western Rome (draining the N. Africa in Western Rome (draining the economy, unfortunately!)economy, unfortunately!)

• Art = Religious IconsArt = Religious Icons• Converted Russia to Orthodox ChristianityConverted Russia to Orthodox Christianity

Byzantium Under PressureByzantium Under Pressure• Invaded by Abbasid Islamic forces in Invaded by Abbasid Islamic forces in

late 600’slate 600’s

• Strong gov’t control of economy Strong gov’t control of economy (capital enriched at expense of rural (capital enriched at expense of rural areas)areas)

• Conquered in 1453 by Ottoman Turks Conquered in 1453 by Ottoman Turks (Central Asians converted to Islam)(Central Asians converted to Islam)

The Middle Ages: 476-1450

Europe in the 500s CEEurope in the 500s CEEurope in the 500s CEEurope in the 500s CEEffects of the Roman Empire’s

Collapse

-Population reduced by over 25%

-Lack of centralization in government – strong local elites took control of smaller areas

- Christianity provided limited unity throughout Europe

- New Germanic rulers of disunited kingdoms tried to retain some aspects of Rome (they admired it!)

- Germanic people become the “dominant peoples”

The Medieval Catholic ChurchThe Medieval Catholic ChurchThe Medieval Catholic ChurchThe Medieval Catholic Church

Roman Catholic church filled the vacuum of the collapse of Roman Empire

Monasticism: monks & nuns living together in organized communities

poverty, chastity, and obedience.

provided schools

monasteries = inns, hospitals, refuge

libraries & copying books- seen as a religious calling

monks missionaries

A Medieval MonkA Medieval Monk’’s Days DayA Medieval MonkA Medieval Monk’’s Days Day

The Power of the Medieval The Power of the Medieval ChurchChurch

The Power of the Medieval The Power of the Medieval ChurchChurch

church controlled 1/3 of the land in Western Europe.

tithe 1/10 tax given to the church.

Canon law: The Law of the Church

Pope Crowned CharlemagnePope Crowned CharlemagneHoly Roman Emperor: Dec. Holy Roman Emperor: Dec.

25, 80025, 800

Pope Crowned CharlemagnePope Crowned CharlemagneHoly Roman Emperor: Dec. Holy Roman Emperor: Dec.

25, 80025, 800-First in western Europe to have the title emperor in over 300 years-Symbolizes the papal authority over secular authority-Charlemagne used the church and authorities to accomplish Christianization-Europe briefly experience some unity under his rule

The Government Structure of The Government Structure of Medieval Western EuropeMedieval Western Europe

FeudalismFeudalism• A political and social system based A political and social system based

on loyalty, land, and military on loyalty, land, and military service.service.

-Occurs due to weakness in the centralized -Occurs due to weakness in the centralized governmentgovernment

- As central authority breaks down, people look - As central authority breaks down, people look to local leaders for protectionto local leaders for protection

Serf: Landless peasant who offers labor in Serf: Landless peasant who offers labor in exchange for protectionexchange for protection

Fief: A grant of land in return for a pledge to Fief: A grant of land in return for a pledge to provide military service provide military service

90%90%

The Economic System of The Economic System of Medieval Western EuropeMedieval Western Europe

ManorialismManorialism• An localized economic systemAn localized economic system• Needed products were made Needed products were made

on a on a large land estate called alarge land estate called a ManorManor

• Barter was commonBarter was common• Trade was not as prominentTrade was not as prominent

Life on the Medieval ManorLife on the Medieval ManorLife on the Medieval ManorLife on the Medieval Manor

SerfsSerfs at work at work

The Late Middle AgesThe Late Middle Ages

-Increasing stability and security in Western Europe

-Climate change (warmer!)

-Population grew from 35 million people to 80 million people by 1340

-Growth of trade due to agricultural expansion

Changes During the Late Middle AgesChanges During the Late Middle Ages

• Populations of cities and towns Populations of cities and towns grewgrew

• New sources of power (wind & New sources of power (wind & water) increased productionwater) increased production

• Trade picked up in the Trade picked up in the MediterraneanMediterranean

• Groups of people organized Groups of people organized themselves into guildsthemselves into guilds

Medieval GuildsMedieval GuildsMedieval GuildsMedieval Guilds

Guild Guild HallsHallsGuild Guild HallsHalls

Associations of Craftsmen controlling trades (ex: shoe makers, stained glass makers, etc.)

Controlled membership apprentice journeyman master craftsman

Controlled quality of the product & prices

• The Pope can be judged by no oneThe Pope can be judged by no one• The Roman church has never erred The Roman church has never erred

and never will err till the end of timeand never will err till the end of time• The pope alone can depose and The pope alone can depose and

restore bishopsrestore bishops• He alone can call general councils and He alone can call general councils and

authorize canon lawauthorize canon law• He can depose emperorsHe can depose emperors• He can absolve subjects from their He can absolve subjects from their

allegianceallegiance• All princes should kiss his feetAll princes should kiss his feet

Popes vs. KingsPopes vs. Kings

• Relationship between the Church Relationship between the Church and State became more tense as and State became more tense as Kings began to centralize controlKings began to centralize control

• Pope Gregory VII vs. Henry IV of Pope Gregory VII vs. Henry IV of FranceFrance

• Investiture Controversy Investiture Controversy – Issues over appointments Issues over appointments – Papacy over the crown?Papacy over the crown?

Magna Carta, 1215:Magna Carta, 1215:ENGLANDENGLAND

Magna Carta, 1215:Magna Carta, 1215:ENGLANDENGLAND

English Kings English Kings had the most had the most difficulty difficulty centralizing centralizing control control

“Great Charter”

kings had to consult a council of advisors to tax

Rights of NOBILTY

Christian CrusadesChristian CrusadesChristian CrusadesChristian Crusades

Pope Urban II: Preaching a Pope Urban II: Preaching a CrusadeCrusade

Pope Urban II: Preaching a Pope Urban II: Preaching a CrusadeCrusade

-Series of “Holy Wars” with a goal to recapture the Holy Lands (E. Mediterranean) from Muslims

-Viewed as being done at God’s command and authorized by the Pope

-Results: Europe came into contact with more advanced civilizations to the East, trade picked up, more luxury goods flowed into Europe

FeudalismFeudalismFeudalismFeudalism

Structure