Chapter 9: Civilization in Chapter 9: Civilization in Eastern Europe: Byzantium Eastern Europe: Byzantium

and Orthodox Europeand Orthodox EuropeAP World History IAP World History I

Origins of the Byzantine Origins of the Byzantine EmpireEmpire

• Romans set up eastern capital to their Romans set up eastern capital to their empire in the 4empire in the 4thth Century CE in Century CE in ConstantinopleConstantinople– Constantine constructs churches, and other Constantine constructs churches, and other

elegant buildingselegant buildings– City is build on the grounds of the town of City is build on the grounds of the town of

ByzantiumByzantium

• Even before the Western portion of the Even before the Western portion of the Roman Empire fell to Germanic invaders, Roman Empire fell to Germanic invaders, the eastern half had their own Emperors.the eastern half had their own Emperors.

Origins of the Byzantine Origins of the Byzantine EmpireEmpire

• Constantinople was responsible for Constantinople was responsible for – The Balkan PeninsulaThe Balkan Peninsula– The Northern Middle EastThe Northern Middle East– The Mediterranean coastThe Mediterranean coast– North AfricaNorth Africa

• Greek becomes the official language of Greek becomes the official language of the Eastern Roman Empire (replacing the Eastern Roman Empire (replacing Latin).Latin).– Greek gave scholars access to the Greek gave scholars access to the

philosophical works of the ancient Greeksphilosophical works of the ancient Greeks

Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire

JustinianJustinian

• Constant threat of invasion plagued Constant threat of invasion plagued earlier emperors.earlier emperors.

• Soon, eastern emperors beat off Soon, eastern emperors beat off attacks by the Sassanian Empire in attacks by the Sassanian Empire in Persia and by the Germanic InvadersPersia and by the Germanic Invaders

• In 533 CE, Justinian, urged by his In 533 CE, Justinian, urged by his wife Theodora made a push to wife Theodora made a push to reconquer Western territory.reconquer Western territory.

JustinianJustinian

• Justinian was Justinian was responsible for responsible for – the rebuilding of the rebuilding of

ConstantinopleConstantinople– Systemizing the Systemizing the

Roman Legal CodeRoman Legal Code• Justinian’s CodeJustinian’s Code

– Extending Roman Extending Roman Architecture (plus Architecture (plus domes)domes)

– The Hagia SophiaThe Hagia Sophia

The Hagia SophiaThe Hagia Sophia

Military ExploitsMilitary Exploits

• Emperor Justinian Emperor Justinian wants to recapture wants to recapture Rome itself!Rome itself!

• Justinian and Justinian and Belisarius were Belisarius were unable to hold onto unable to hold onto Italy or Northern Italy or Northern Africa as a result of Africa as a result of increasing pressure increasing pressure from Germans.from Germans.

• Westward expansion Westward expansion had weakened the had weakened the empire at home.empire at home.– New Slavic groups New Slavic groups

moved into the moved into the BalkansBalkans

– Justinian pushes Justinian pushes Persian forces back, Persian forces back, but loses some but loses some middle eastern middle eastern territory.territory.

• Dies in 565 CEDies in 565 CE

Justinian’s Byzantine EmpireJustinian’s Byzantine Empire

Beyond Justinian…Beyond Justinian…

• Successors must defend the Eastern Successors must defend the Eastern Empire itselfEmpire itself– Reverse Persian successes in the 7Reverse Persian successes in the 7thth Century. Century.– Population forcibly reconverted to Christianity.Population forcibly reconverted to Christianity.

• The Empire was centered in the Balkans, The Empire was centered in the Balkans, western/central portions of Turkey.western/central portions of Turkey.

• Byzantine Empire represented a mix of Byzantine Empire represented a mix of Hellenistic tradition, Christianity, as well Hellenistic tradition, Christianity, as well as Roman engineering, military tactics, as Roman engineering, military tactics, and codified law.and codified law.

• Strong enough to withstand the threat of Strong enough to withstand the threat of the expanding Arab Muslim Empire.the expanding Arab Muslim Empire.

The Muslim ThreatThe Muslim Threat

• While the Byzantines were able to While the Byzantines were able to withstand the Muslim threat, they did so withstand the Muslim threat, they did so taking on massive losses.taking on massive losses.– Arabs built a naval fleet that challenged Arabs built a naval fleet that challenged

Byzantine naval supremacy in the Eastern Byzantine naval supremacy in the Eastern MediterraneanMediterranean

– Arabs launched continual attacks on Arabs launched continual attacks on Constantinople.Constantinople.

• Wars with the Muslims added economic Wars with the Muslims added economic burdens to the Empireburdens to the Empire– Invasions, taxation create larger aristocratic Invasions, taxation create larger aristocratic

estates because of burden on small farmers.estates because of burden on small farmers.

BulgariaBulgaria

• Example of a SLAVIC territory that Example of a SLAVIC territory that pressed Byzantine territory in the pressed Byzantine territory in the Balkans. Balkans. – Bulgarian king takes the title Tsar, Slavic Bulgarian king takes the title Tsar, Slavic

for Caesar in the 10for Caesar in the 10thth century. century.– Byzantine pressure erodes the regional Byzantine pressure erodes the regional

kingdom.kingdom.– Basil II (Byzantine Emperor) used Byzantine Basil II (Byzantine Emperor) used Byzantine

wealth to bribe wealthy Bulgarian nobles wealth to bribe wealthy Bulgarian nobles and generals, defeating their army in 1014.and generals, defeating their army in 1014.

Byzantine Society and Byzantine Society and PoliticsPolitics

• Similarities with ChinaSimilarities with China– Emperor was held to be ordained by GodEmperor was held to be ordained by God– Head of Church as well as state.Head of Church as well as state.

• Appointed bishops and passed religious and Appointed bishops and passed religious and secular lawssecular laws

– Women held the imperial throne at timesWomen held the imperial throne at times• Theodora 981-1056Theodora 981-1056

– Bureaucracy (elaborate)Bureaucracy (elaborate)• Secular school system with training in Greek Secular school system with training in Greek

Classics, Philosophy, and Science…WITH Classics, Philosophy, and Science…WITH church education.church education.

• Aristocrats predominate, but talent came from Aristocrats predominate, but talent came from highly educated scholarshighly educated scholars

Byzantine MilitaryByzantine Military

• Recruit troops locally and reward them Recruit troops locally and reward them with grants of land.with grants of land.

• Hereditary military leaders gained regional Hereditary military leaders gained regional power, displacing traditional and better power, displacing traditional and better educated aristocrats.educated aristocrats.

• While this was bad for the empire, it While this was bad for the empire, it helped to protect a state that was helped to protect a state that was constantly under attack from the Muslims constantly under attack from the Muslims (Persians, Arabs, and Turks), as well as (Persians, Arabs, and Turks), as well as nomadic intruders from Central Asianomadic intruders from Central Asia

Byzantine Society and Byzantine Society and EconomicsEconomics

• Constantinople controlled the countrysideConstantinople controlled the countryside– Bureaucracy regulated trade and controlled Bureaucracy regulated trade and controlled

food prices.food prices.– Large peasant class was vital to provide the Large peasant class was vital to provide the

goods and supply the bulk of tax revenues.goods and supply the bulk of tax revenues.

• Empire had a huge trading network with Empire had a huge trading network with Asia to the east and Russia and Asia to the east and Russia and Scandinavia to the North. Empire also Scandinavia to the North. Empire also traded with India, the Arabs, and east Asia. traded with India, the Arabs, and east Asia. The Empire received simpler goods from The Empire received simpler goods from Western Europe and Africa. Western Europe and Africa. – Merchants did not gain much power (like Merchants did not gain much power (like

China)China)

Byzantine CultureByzantine Culture

• Centered on secular traditions of HellenismCentered on secular traditions of Hellenism– Byzantine strength lay in preserving and Byzantine strength lay in preserving and

commenting on past literary and artistic formscommenting on past literary and artistic forms– Art and Architecture were exceptions to that rule.Art and Architecture were exceptions to that rule.

• Religious mosaicsReligious mosaics• Icon Painting-paintings of saints and other Icon Painting-paintings of saints and other

religious figures.religious figures.– Iconoclasm: A brief attack on religious imagery Iconoclasm: A brief attack on religious imagery

by a Byzantine Emperor in the 8by a Byzantine Emperor in the 8thth century. century.– Monks threaten permanent split between church Monks threaten permanent split between church

and state, and eventually use of icons was and state, and eventually use of icons was restored and state control over church was too. restored and state control over church was too.

Iconic ImageryIconic Imagery

The SchismThe Schism

• Byzantine culture Byzantine culture and politics, as well and politics, as well as the economics of as the economics of the empire being the empire being more oriented more oriented towards Asia and towards Asia and Northeastern Europe Northeastern Europe was a sign of the was a sign of the East’s growing break East’s growing break with the Westwith the West

• Eastern Christianity Eastern Christianity was headed by the was headed by the Patriarch who was the Patriarch who was the spiritual leader of the spiritual leader of the Byzantine Empire...who Byzantine Empire...who was also controlled by was also controlled by the Emperor.the Emperor.

• Western Christianity Western Christianity was headed by the was headed by the Pope who exerted Pope who exerted great control over the great control over the Medieval rulers of Medieval rulers of Western Europe. Western Europe.

The SchismThe Schism

• Issues…Issues…– West translates Greek Bible into LatinWest translates Greek Bible into Latin– Byzantine Emperors resent papal attempts Byzantine Emperors resent papal attempts

to interfere in the iconoclastic dispute.to interfere in the iconoclastic dispute.• Loss of state-control in the east would benefit Loss of state-control in the east would benefit

the pope.the pope.

– Hostility towards Charlemagne to proclaim Hostility towards Charlemagne to proclaim himself a Roman Emperor in the 9himself a Roman Emperor in the 9thth CenturyCentury• Belief that western rulers were crude and Belief that western rulers were crude and

unsophisticatedunsophisticated

The Schism-1054The Schism-1054

• A number of issues come up for A number of issues come up for debate…of them, debate…of them, – Patriarch attacked the Roman Catholic Patriarch attacked the Roman Catholic

practice of celibacy for its priests.practice of celibacy for its priests.• As a result of the debate, the Roman As a result of the debate, the Roman

Catholic pope excommunicated the Catholic pope excommunicated the Patriarch and his followers.Patriarch and his followers.– The Patriarch responded by The Patriarch responded by

excommunicating all Catholics.excommunicating all Catholics.• Thus, the split between West and East Thus, the split between West and East

was done.was done.

Decline of the Byzantine Decline of the Byzantine EmpireEmpire

• Turkish troops, the Seljuks, seized most of Turkish troops, the Seljuks, seized most of the Asiatic provinces of the Empire.the Asiatic provinces of the Empire.

• Loss in battle of Manzikert in 1071 never Loss in battle of Manzikert in 1071 never allowed Byzantine Army to recover.allowed Byzantine Army to recover.

• Creation of new, independent Slavic Creation of new, independent Slavic kingdoms in the Balkans (like Serbia) kingdoms in the Balkans (like Serbia) showed the Empire’s diminished power.showed the Empire’s diminished power.

• Eastern leaders appeal to the west for Eastern leaders appeal to the west for assistance against the Turks, but they were assistance against the Turks, but they were ignored.ignored.

Decline of the Byzantine Decline of the Byzantine EmpireEmpire

• Signs of shifting power include the Signs of shifting power include the increased impact of Italian trading cities increased impact of Italian trading cities with the ports of Constantinople.with the ports of Constantinople.

• 1204 CE Crusade to take back Holy Land 1204 CE Crusade to take back Holy Land actually turned against Constantinople!actually turned against Constantinople!– Weakened the Byzantine Empire more!Weakened the Byzantine Empire more!– Pope John Paul II apologized for this in 2004.Pope John Paul II apologized for this in 2004.

• 1453-Turkish Ottoman Sultan brings his 1453-Turkish Ottoman Sultan brings his powerful army, with artillery purchased powerful army, with artillery purchased from the west to Constantinople. The from the west to Constantinople. The city falls in under two months. city falls in under two months.

• The fall of the Byzantine Empire was one The fall of the Byzantine Empire was one of the great events in World Historyof the great events in World History

Spread of Civilization to Spread of Civilization to Eastern EuropeEastern Europe

• Orthodox missionaries were sent from Orthodox missionaries were sent from the Byzantine Empire northward to the Byzantine Empire northward to extend the scope of Christianity through extend the scope of Christianity through the Balkans to the Central Asian lands.the Balkans to the Central Asian lands.

• East-Central Borderlands (the areas north East-Central Borderlands (the areas north of the Balkans, in between Western of the Balkans, in between Western Europe and Asia) were Regional Europe and Asia) were Regional Kingdoms, loosely governed, under a Kingdoms, loosely governed, under a powerful land-owning aristocracy.powerful land-owning aristocracy.– Kingdoms of Poland, Bohemia Kingdoms of Poland, Bohemia

(Czechoslovakia), and Lithuania.(Czechoslovakia), and Lithuania.

Kievan Rus’Kievan Rus’

• Slavic peoples had moved into the plains Slavic peoples had moved into the plains of Russia and Eastern Europe during the of Russia and Eastern Europe during the Roman Empire. Roman Empire.

• Slavs already used iron, extended Slavs already used iron, extended agriculture into the Ukraine, had political agriculture into the Ukraine, had political organization that rested in family tribe organization that rested in family tribe and villages, and maintained an animist and villages, and maintained an animist religion. They also had great folk music religion. They also had great folk music and oral legends.and oral legends.– Development of loose regional kingdoms.Development of loose regional kingdoms.

SlavsSlavs

• Origins of Slavic Peoples

Kievan Rus’Kievan Rus’• Scandinavian traders worked through Slavic lands, Scandinavian traders worked through Slavic lands,

and being militarily superior, set up governments and being militarily superior, set up governments along their trade routes, particularly in the city of Kievalong their trade routes, particularly in the city of Kiev

Kievan Rus’Kievan Rus’

• Rurik, a native of Rurik, a native of Denmark, became Denmark, became the first prince of the first prince of Kievan Rus’ in 855 Kievan Rus’ in 855 CE.CE.

• The Scandinavians The Scandinavians coined the term coined the term Russia.Russia.

• Scandinavian Scandinavian minority gradually minority gradually mixed with the Slavs.mixed with the Slavs.

Kievan Rus’Kievan Rus’

• Kiev becomes an Kiev becomes an active trading center active trading center with the Byzantine with the Byzantine Empire.Empire.

• Prince Vladimir I, a Prince Vladimir I, a Rurik descendent Rurik descendent who ruled from 980-who ruled from 980-1015 converted 1015 converted himself and all his himself and all his people to Christianity.people to Christianity.– Massed, forced Massed, forced

conversions.conversions.

• The Russian The Russian Orthodox Church Orthodox Church developed from developed from influence by the influence by the Byzantines.Byzantines.

• Kiev issued a formal Kiev issued a formal law code under law code under Rurik’s descendents.Rurik’s descendents.

• Yaroslav arranged Yaroslav arranged the translation of the translation of religious literature religious literature from Greek to Slavic.from Greek to Slavic.

Russian CultureRussian Culture

• Influenced by the Influenced by the Byzantines, and Byzantines, and Orthodox Christianity.Orthodox Christianity.– Devotion to the power Devotion to the power

of God and Eastern of God and Eastern SaintsSaints

– Ornate churches filled Ornate churches filled with Icons and with Icons and incense.incense.

– Monastic movement Monastic movement stresses prayer and stresses prayer and charity.charity.

• Russian and Ukrainian Russian and Ukrainian art focused on the art focused on the religious alsoreligious also– Icon paintingIcon painting– Byzantine architecture.Byzantine architecture.

• Strong competition Strong competition between religious art between religious art and music with and music with popular popular entertainments/folk entertainments/folk musicmusic

Russian Social/Economic lifeRussian Social/Economic life

• Russian peasants Russian peasants were free farmerswere free farmers

• Aristocratic landlord Aristocratic landlord class existed.class existed.

• Russian aristocrats, Russian aristocrats, called Boyars, didn’t called Boyars, didn’t have as much power have as much power as landowners in the as landowners in the west. But, Kievan west. But, Kievan princes had to princes had to recognize and recognize and negotiate with them. negotiate with them.

• Yaroslav arranges Yaroslav arranges over 30 marriages over 30 marriages to create ties with to create ties with Central European Central European Royalty, including Royalty, including 11 with Germany.11 with Germany.

Kievan DeclineKievan Decline

• In the 12In the 12thth Century, Kiev fades…aided by Century, Kiev fades…aided by the slowdown and disruption to its neighbor the slowdown and disruption to its neighbor to the south, the Byzantine Empire.to the south, the Byzantine Empire.

• 1237-1238, and 1240-1241: Mongol 1237-1238, and 1240-1241: Mongol Invasions (Tatars) take over most of the Invasions (Tatars) take over most of the weakened Russian Cities, but fail to press weakened Russian Cities, but fail to press west.west.

• Over 200 years, Russia remained under Over 200 years, Russia remained under Tatar Control, separating Russia from the Tatar Control, separating Russia from the dynamism of Western Europe during this dynamism of Western Europe during this time.time.– Allowed for the continuation of day-to-day Allowed for the continuation of day-to-day

Russian affairs (religion, etc.).Russian affairs (religion, etc.).

Third RomeThird Rome• After the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the After the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the

weakening of Tatar (Mongol) influence on Russia, in weakening of Tatar (Mongol) influence on Russia, in 1511 it was seen the Russia would inherit the glory and 1511 it was seen the Russia would inherit the glory and grandeur of the Third Rome.grandeur of the Third Rome.