130 likes | 135 Vues
Byzantine and Russia. Byzantine Empire. 4 th C. Western & Eastern Roman separated Germanic tribes conquered West (Rome) but the East (Byzantine) remained intact 1000 years Constantinople – major city Justinian – Emperor of Eastern Empire;
E N D
Byzantine Empire • 4th C. Western & Eastern Roman separated • Germanic tribes conquered West (Rome) but the East (Byzantine) remained intact 1000 years • Constantinople – major city • Justinian – Emperor of Eastern Empire; • Important contribution – Justinian code – The Body of Civil Law; codification of Roman law became foundation of the East; in Latin
Characteristics of Byzantium • Latin is slowly replaced by Greek; preserved Greek (classical) culture • Codified laws (Justinian) • Christian state – magnificent churches built (combined Greco-Roman & Persian), mosaics • Emperor controlled church and state (theocracy)
Constantinople • Largest city in Europe during Middle Ages • Center of great commerce (silk from China, spices from Asia, jewelry and ivory from India, wheat from Russia) • Silkworms smuggled into Byzantium from China to begin silk industry • Immense palaces, the Hippodrome (arena) • Justinian puts down “Nika Revolt” – see article; wife Theodora • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei7UKrNDI4Q • Great public works, baths, schools, reservoirs, etc.
Problems in the empire • Too much land to protect • Autocratic govt. – absolute power, lavish court • Empty treasury due to spending • Declining population due to plague • Renewed threats on the borders – Persians (east), Slavs (north), Arab world (Islam)
Problems • Growing split between Catholic Church of the West and Eastern Orthodox of Byzantine (didn’t accept Pope’s claim that he was head of the church) • Pope Leo IX – Schism (split) the Church • Byzantine lasts until 1453 when Ottoman Turks take over
Church Splits 1054 • Catholic – Rome • Pope • Latin • Priests can’t marry • No divorce • No icons • Orthodox – Constantinople • Patriarch • Greek • Priests can marry • Divorce allowed • Icons
Contributions • Preserved Greek culture/learning • Adopted Roman ideas of law • Preserved Christianity (Orthodox) • Great center of wealth and trade • Art, philosophy, science, literature, education • Theatres, palaces, reservoirs (engineering & architecture)
Russia • Early Russians were likely Viking group (Rus) who settled and united Slavic groups; blended over time • Vladimir – Christian, strengthens Kiev • Kiev – main city; becomes Orthodox • Yaroslav – Vlad’s son; legal code; first library, Christianity prospered
Russia • After death, declines – divided kingdom among sons • Further weakened by Crusades • Invasions by Mongols (Genghis Khan); destroyed Kiev and controlled Russia
Russia • Mongols – brutal invaders; Genghis Khan • Demanded obedience and tribute • Allowed them to keep religion, customs, etc. • Khanate – Kingdom • Ivan III – Ended Mongol rule – standoff • Took title “czar” • Cyrillic language develops