The Fall and Influence of the Byzantines

The Fall and Influence of the Byzantines

Why is the empire going to fall? • Military Changes • Crusaders • Split with Catholic Church • Iconoclasm • Renewed efforts from enemies of abroad • Devaluing of gold • Politics of Byzantines

Military • Byzantines change army techniques – move from a citizen army to a campaigning army of primarily mercenaries. • Army became a secondary concern after Basil II stopped campaigning regularly. • Had always relied on strategy and administration which didn’t translate with smaller empire.

Iconoclasm • During the 8th century, Emperor Leo III outlawed using venerated icons. • This led to smashing of art and culture of the church • The western church rejected this because it would mean they would have to smash their art. • Resolved to use them but not venerate them but damage was done.

Split with Catholic Church • By 1054 the Byzantines had split with the Catholic church over a variety of issues. • Iconoclasm in 700’s • Inadequate protection • Pope attempted to declare infallibility and superiority to Orthodox Patriarch • Various religious doctrine issues. • Leads to Latin Catholics attempting to gain sway over the Byzantines for souls/power.

Rise of New Enemies • The Franks became great enemies in Europe, although at times they worked together. • Seljuk Turks • Persians reborn • Islam, Islam, Islam, and more Islam

Influence of Islam • The development of Islam in 622 had a profound effect on the empire. • Islam is an aggressive religion that early on developed a policy of spreading the faith through conquest. • Once Islam moves into Jerusalem and the holy land two major thins occur… • The Byzantines feel threatened in their existence • The Latin Popes worry for the safety of pilgrims

This leads to the…. • Crusades • At Council of Piasenza in 1095, Alexios I asked Pope Urban II to send assistance to drive out Muslims from Christian lands. • He expected an elite mercenary group to come…instead got 35,000 poorly trained and armed troops. • Forces them to swear allegiance which the Latin's feel he breaks when he doesn’t come to help at Antioch. • First Crusade successful (sort of)

Fourth Crusade • Never makes it to the holy land – actually slated to go to Egypt. (not enough money to pay Venitians) • Instead attacks port of Zara in Dalmatia – then moves onto Constantinople (Alexios III offered to pay for Egyptian attack) • In 1204 they ransacked the city and burned most of it to the ground. • They raped, pillaged, and stole priceless artifacts. • Byzantines went through three Emperors in a matter of weeks and went into exile as three separate kingdoms • Even created a new emperor and patriarch

Partition After Fourth Crusade

Short lived reunification… • Three states in exile – Empire of Nicaea, Despotate of Empirius, and Empire of Trezibond developed. • Each fought against local Muslim incursions before Nicaea retook the city in 1261. • Attempted to reunify and revive empire and was able to rebuild city. • However crippling taxes really hurt reform effort.

Finally…. • The Ottoman Turks invaded in 1453 and despite pleas from new Emperor Constantine III, Rome sent no one. • Fell to the Ottomans on May 29, 1453.

Influence on the Muslims and Russians • Muslims • Claimed to inherit Rome • Incorporated much of the classical Roman and Greek heritage into Muslim society. • Became a more secular state (Therefore Turkey) • Russians • Adopted Byzantine religion, culture, and dress • Traded and fought with them for centuries • Claimed to become the center of Orthodoxy after the fall of Constantinople

How were the Russians Converted…. • St. Cyril and St. Methodius were asked to translate the Orthodox bible into Slavic. • Missionaries then took the book up the rivers to Russia and began converting them. • Patriarchs claimed to have converted them by as early as 860 AD • In Mid 900’s, Princess Olga converted to the faith, bringing it into the land

Vladamir The Wise • In 986 sent envoys around the Western world to choose a new religion. • Rejected Islam because of circumcision and restrictions on alcohol and pork • Rejected Judaism because of loss of Jersualem. • Rejected Catholics because of Latin • Embraced Orthodoxy because of beauty and amazement with Hagia Sophia and culture. • Two conflicting stories on his baptism • When he returned he held a mass baptism in Dnieper River

Greek learning and book culture was adopted in Kiev and other centres of the country. • Churches started to be built on the Byzantine model. • Russian nobility forced to accept religion • Russian people became more comfortable with an all powerful Emperor, like the Byzantines. • Led to the development of the Tsar after the fall of Constantinople • After 1721 and the rise of Peter the Great, the Orthodox Church passes into the hands of the emperor.

The Fall and Influence of the Byzantines