Byzantium & Orthodox Europe

Chapter 9

Difference: East & West (Byzantines and Western Europe Different versions of

Christianity: Great Schism: Catholic &

Orthodox 1054 Little interaction, with

west East more advanced East saw the West as

barbaric continuation of the Roman

Empire

http://12byzantinerulers.com/

Justinian the Great - 500s CE1. Reconquered western

territory to reclaim Roman Imperial glory

2. Problems!!! raised taxes, temporary capital in Ravenna, eastern frontier weakened

3. Peasant revolts in Byzantium. Justinian CRUSHED.

4. Rebuilt Constantinople, 5. Including expanding on

Roman architectural ideas with Hagia Sophia

6. Justinian’s Code- Systematized Roman Legal code, unified and organized code

Recurrent threat from invaders: Sassanids, Germanic tribes, Arabs Muslims, Slavs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justinian_I

Muslim Invasions Cause Trouble:

600s- Umayyad Muslim attacks Muslim’s created burdens

hinder economic activities Taxes raised for defense increasing power of aristocracy less focus on Byzantine structure, more on

military & navy Major siege of Constantinople in 717-718:

stopped with use of a new weapon- GREEK FIRE.

Society & Politics

Emperor head of state & church appointed bureaucrats & church officials (many

eunuchs) Bureaucracy

led by highly educated scholars from any social class

Provincial governors at the center of region, primarily responsible for military

controlled trade & prices Spies for loyalty Complex- phrase “Byzantine” mean complex

Troops recruited for heritable land- source of regional power

Economy centered on “world” network of trade; merchant class never gained significant power

F. Split between East & West Different Political, Cultural & Economic

Orientation Religious differences: Greek v. Latin Bible,

celibacy of priests, type of bread, papal role in politics

1054: Official split between Catholic & Orthodox Churches

G. Empire’s Decline Muslim Seljuks, seized Asiatic holding, cut off

trade, taxes & food supply in 11th century Ind. Slavic kingdoms emerged in Balkans Appeals to West prompted Crusades &

Increasing Italian influence Eventually Constantinople falls to Seljuk

Turks in 1453.

Chapter 10

Western Europe and the

Setting

Italy fragmented Spain conquered by Muslims Constant Viking attacks in the

North France , low countries, and parts

of Germany held greatest stability

Catholic Church was the connection to previous civilization

Only clergy could even read

The Need for Security Spiritual- the Catholic Church Physical- Feudalism

Religion The Catholic Church

Roman Catholic Church- centered in Rome, borrowed organization from ancient Romans The most organized

institution in the Early Middle Ages

Missionaries spread Christianity to Britain and Scandinavia by 10th century

Monasteries attracted monks Bendict of Nursia- one of the

earliest monks. Wrote the Benedict’s Rule as a guidebook for monasteries

Preserved education and literacy- only they could read!

Political/SocialManorialism

Feudalism Serfs would exchange

work and loyalty for protection the lords and their entourage

Serfs were not slaves- but not treated much better

Lords would provide protection to lesser lords (Vassals)

Grew first in France. Kings slowly grew in power and influence- mint $, tax the church, etc

Brought to England in 1066 Battle of Hastings by William the Conqueror

The Franks Convert

Clovis- 496 A.D. he converted to the Christianity With support of local

bishops he gained extra support for his campaigns of war

Forced conversion on his conquered subjects

Charlemagne- the First Emperor in 400 years…

His grandfather was Charles”THE HAMMER” Martel who fought off Muslim advance in Tours in 732.

Charlemagne established the largest empire since the Romans Crowned Holy Roman Emperor in

800 by the Pope (!) Restored some education Built churches

His sons, with names like “the Fat” and “the Bald”- not so great.

His empire split into fragments. Map on p. 218

At first North Europe and Germany appeared fairly strong (HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR title), however their power was weak

http://spa08.wikispaces.com/Charles+the+Great+(Charlemagne).

http://www.nndb.com/people/180/000085922/

The Limited Power of Kings The Catholic Church claimed higher

authority Feudal lords had some power- voice

and often their own militaries 1215 King John of England forced to

sign Magna Carta, officially limiting his power and giving rights to nobles

Parliaments developed in which nobility and the church held sway with the king- especially when changing taxation!!!

England in 1265 had Parliament with 2 Houses House of Lords- nobles and clergy House of Commons- elected

citizens (wealthy) Kings still had power. Wars over

land raged. 100 years War with England and

France over feudal land rights (Joan of Arc)

Intellectual/EconomicThings Begin to Improve New Agricultural Methods Less Viking Raids- stronger opponents, Vikings

won, Vikings became Christian Population growth- some free serfs Markets increased Early Universities- for clergy, law (Roman

influence), and medicine (Arab, Greek, Hellenistic influence)

Expansion Wealth + Population= Expansion

“Reconquista” of Spain to expel Muslim invaders begins 11th century and completes the task in 1492.

Vikings use LONGBOAT to travel outward- Iceland, Greenland, and America!

The Crusades!!!

The Crusades

1095 Pope Urban II encouraged European crusaders to battle Muslims in the Middle east. Why? Help Christian brothers in Constantinople fight off invasion Recapture the Holy City of Jerusalem

There were many of these Crusades 1st- suceeded, then they lost the city to Muslim general Saladin 2nd and 3rd and 4th etc. failed to recapture 4th Crusade actually ended up with the Crusaders attacking

Constanople instaed!!! Opened up trade and interaction (ideas, art, technology) with

other parts of the world. Brought Greek philosophy/science

http://worldhistory.phillipmartin.info/worldhistory_crusade_map.htm

Change in the Church

Pope Gregory VII showed that Popes were stronger than kings Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV insisted

on his right to appoint bishops. The Pope claimed that right and

excommunicated Henry Henry begged for forgiveness in the

snow Pope wins.

Theology Dark Ages – knowledge was

gathering quotes, little creativity 1000 forward – attempt to prove

God’s existence Also…attempt to prove errors of

church leaders Bernard of Clairvaux – monk – faith

alone is enough Relied heavily on faith of Bible, like

Muslims and Qur’an Thomas Aquinas

Faith came first Through reason, humans could find order His Summas used logic to eliminate

objections

Art and Architecture

Christian art reflected popular outlook and formal religious theology Goal – serve the glory of God Depicted saints Used stylized figures Medieval life as backdrops Stained glass designs for churches

Gothic Architecture Combined Muslim design and Western

engineering Gothic

Soaring spires Tall arched windows – cast to heavens

Proved Growing technical skill Ability to tax, central gov’t Patient labor

Literature . Mostly Latin, but vernacular writing

emerged Similar to India – Sanskrit, but the people read

Hindi Oral sagas, adventure stories Showed conflict

Christian values vs. richness/coarseness of life Love became first new value pursued Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales – has stories

that poke fun at institutions

Economic and Social Forms Change Hanseatic League- N. European trade organization West became a commercial zone

Italian city-states Italian merchants actively sought cloth from North Northern cities became centers for Western exchange/markets for exotic

products New Strains in Rural Life

Most nobles disproved of commerce/some embraced Lord want better conditions, tax higher Some serfs can get paid Led to conflicts – peasant uprisings Frustration over gap between lord and peasant

Growth of Trade and Banking Urban growth Rising trade -spices Trade, bankers, merchants all pushed for capitalism Merchants Guilds – relatively independent from state – like labor unions today Most people peasants though, some moved to city – year and a day rule

Women Christian Belief

Equality of souls Women’s monastic groups – convents Veneration of Mary, religious saints

Compared to Islam less confined to household less segregated in church services

Urban women had role in commerce Could operate/run guilds

Literature stressed women as docile/supportive/chivalry

Middle Ages End Hundred Years’ War

Paid armies better than knights Ordinary archers better/cheaper gunpowder Futility of feudalism

Sources of vitality ending Agriculture can’t keep up with population growth famines plagues Black Death Social disputes – peasant uprisings

Signs of Strain Church focused on political involvement/loses spiritual side