The Byzantine Empire and Russia

The Byzantine Empire

The Growth of Byzantine PowerConstantinople was the vital center of the empire

Located on the BosporusBusy market & “center of the world”

Existed nearly 1000 years after the fall of Rome.Emperors lived in splendor.

The Age of JustinianThe empire reached its greatest size under the emperor Justinian.He was determined to reunite the Roman Empire & conquered areas all the way to Spain.To restore Roman glory, he launched a program to beautify Const…

Built the church of Hagia SophiaBest remembered for his reform of the law – Corpus Juris Civilis (Civil Law) – Justinians’ Code

Used later in W. EuropeUsed the law to unite and ruled as an autocratAided by his wife, Theodora who was a stripper and later a shrewd politician

Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)Now a mosque.

After Justinian, there were many attacks on the empire by Vikings, Mongols, Slavs and Persians, but the peasants helped it survive.

Byzantine fortress

Byzantine ChristianityDifferent in the east and west

Did not have a pope, but a patriarch (an official)Priests could marryServices in Greek, not LatinMore emphasis on Easter than Christmas

Had a dispute over the use of icons - caused a schism

The emperor said it broke the 2nd commandment and banned them.

Battles broke out and caused a permanent split b/w Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox.

Crisis & CollapseThe Seljuk Turks (Muslims) migrated westward.Byzantine empire helped in the crusades.In the later crusades, trade rivalries broke out w/ Venice and the Venitians attacked Constan…The emperor finally reconquered but never fully recovered.In 1453, Ottomans led by Muhammed II took control of Constan and changed the name to Istanbul.

Byzantine HeritageBuilt on the culture of the Hellenistic world, blending Christian ideas w/ Greek.Made unique contribution in art and architecture

Mosaics

Byzantine historians like Procopius, criticized Justinian.Scholars contributed to the future European culture.

The Rise of RussiaGrowth of Kiev

During Roman times, the Slavs expanded into Russia.Organized into clansThe Varangians (Vikings) used Russian rivers to increase trade.At the heart of this network was Kiev, the center of the first Russian state.

Технология PLC применительно к России может решать только проблему «последнего дюйма». Поэтому по-прежнему успех в продвижении технологии напрямую зависит от технических возможностей (разветвленности инфраструктуры) оператора связи. В любом случае необходимо строить или арендовать «последнюю милю» от узла доступа оператора

Byzantine InfluencesTwo Greek monks (Cyril) adapted the Greek language to translate the Bible.

This became Russian writing

In 957, Princess Olga of Kiev converted to Byz. Christianity. Her grandson Vladimir helped spread it and the Russians copied many Byzantine ways.The Russian Orthodox Church eventually became very powerful.

Cyrillic (Russian) Text

Kiev enjoyed a golden age under Yaroslav the Wise. (1019 – 1054)

Written law codeTranslated important works into RussianMarried his children into European royalty

Russia declined after him and was invaded by the Mongols.

Mongol ConquestGenghis Khan (World Emperor) from central Asia invaded from China to Eastern EuropeBatu, his grandson, invaded Russia, and the Golden Horde ruled Russia for the next 240 years.Russian princes were allowed to rule as long as they paid heavy tribute to the Mongols.

Genghis Khan

BatuKhan

Mongol InfluencesAbsolute powerHeavy taxesWomen became subservient.It cut Russia off from western Europe which was becoming more advanced.

Moscow Takes the LeadDuring the Mongol period, the princes of Moscow gained power.

Location on river trade routes

Head of the R.O. Church made it his capital.They rallied other Russians and defeated the Golden Horde in 1380.The driving force was Ivan the Great who recovered Russian lands.

He took the title Czar, & became absolute ruler.Married the Byzantine Emperor’s niece.

Ivan the TerribleIvan IV, grandson of Ivan the G., further centralized royal power.He made laws that started feudalism when it was disappearing in W. Europe.Became mentally unstable and paranoidKilled his own sonOrganized the oprichniki (secret police) that terrorized the boyars anyone disloyalWhen he died in 1584, Russians were seething w/ rebellion.

Shaping Eastern EuropeA Diverse Mix of People

The geography made for easy migration.

A cultural crossroadNow includes many languages and culturesThe Balkans were mostly Slavs.Had strong influences from the Byzantines & both Catholic sidesThe Ottomans invaded in the 1300s and spread Islam.

Jewish SettlementsIn the late Middle Ages, E. Europe was a refuge for Jews during the crusades and after the black death.Monarchs from England, France, & Spain also expelled Jews.Polish kings practiced toleration.

Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk of Poland confirmed and extended Jewish charters in the second half of the fifteenth century