Civilization in Eastern Europe:Byzantine and Orthodox Europe.

1. Chapter 9: Civilization in EasternChapter 9: Civilization in Eastern
Europe: Byzantium and OrthodoxEurope: Byzantium and Orthodox
EuropeEurope
APWorld History IAPWorld History I

2. Origins of the Byzantine EmpireOrigins of the Byzantine Empire
• Romans set up eastern capital to their empireRomans set up eastern capital to their empire
in the 4in the 4thth
Century CE in ConstantinopleCentury CE in Constantinople
– Constantine constructs churches, and otherConstantine constructs churches, and other
elegant buildingselegant buildings
– City is build on the grounds of the town ofCity is build on the grounds of the town of
ByzantiumByzantium
• Even before theWestern portion of theEven before theWestern portion of the
Roman Empire fell to Germanic invaders, theRoman Empire fell to Germanic invaders, the
eastern half had their own Emperors.eastern half had their own Emperors.

3. Origins of the Byzantine EmpireOrigins of the Byzantine Empire
• Constantinople was responsible forConstantinople 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 theGreek becomes the official language of the
Eastern Roman Empire (replacing Latin).Eastern Roman Empire (replacing Latin).
– Greek gave scholars access to the philosophicalGreek gave scholars access to the philosophical
works of the ancient Greeksworks of the ancient Greeks

4. Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire

5. JustinianJustinian
• Constant threat of invasion plagued earlierConstant threat of invasion plagued earlier
emperors.emperors.
• Soon, eastern emperors beat off attacks bySoon, eastern emperors beat off attacks by
the Sassanian Empire in Persia and by thethe Sassanian Empire in Persia and by the
Germanic InvadersGermanic Invaders
• In 533 CE, Justinian, urged by his wifeIn 533 CE, Justinian, urged by his wife
Theodora made a push to reconquerWesternTheodora made a push to reconquerWestern
territory.territory.

6. JustinianJustinian
• Justinian wasJustinian was
responsible forresponsible for
– the rebuilding ofthe rebuilding of
ConstantinopleConstantinople
– Systemizing the RomanSystemizing the Roman
Legal CodeLegal Code
• Justinian’s CodeJustinian’s Code
– Extending RomanExtending Roman
Architecture (plus domes)Architecture (plus domes)
– The Hagia SophiaThe Hagia Sophia

7. The Hagia SophiaThe Hagia Sophia

8. Military ExploitsMilitary Exploits
• Emperor JustinianEmperor Justinian
wants to recapturewants to recapture
Rome itself!Rome itself!
• Justinian and BelisariusJustinian and Belisarius
were unable to holdwere unable to hold
onto Italy or Northernonto Italy or Northern
Africa as a result ofAfrica as a result of
increasing pressureincreasing pressure
from Germans.from Germans.
• Westward expansionWestward expansion
had weakened thehad weakened the
empire at home.empire at home.
– New Slavic groupsNew Slavic groups
moved into the Balkansmoved into the Balkans
– Justinian pushes PersianJustinian pushes Persian
forces back, but losesforces back, but loses
some middle easternsome middle eastern
territory.territory.
• Dies in 565 CEDies in 565 CE

9. Justinian’s Byzantine EmpireJustinian’s Byzantine Empire

10. Beyond Justinian…Beyond Justinian…
• Successors must defend the Eastern EmpireSuccessors must defend the Eastern Empire
itselfitself
– 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 ofTurkey.western/central portions ofTurkey.
• Byzantine Empire represented a mix ofByzantine Empire represented a mix of
Hellenistic tradition, Christianity, as well asHellenistic tradition, Christianity, as well as
Roman engineering, military tactics, and codifiedRoman engineering, military tactics, and codified
law.law.
• Strong enough to withstand the threat of theStrong enough to withstand the threat of the
expanding Arab Muslim Empire.expanding Arab Muslim Empire.

11. The MuslimThreatThe MuslimThreat
• While the Byzantines were able to withstand theWhile the Byzantines were able to withstand the
Muslim threat, they did so taking on massiveMuslim threat, they did so taking on massive
losses.losses.
– Arabs built a naval fleet that challenged ByzantineArabs built a naval fleet that challenged Byzantine
naval supremacy in the Eastern Mediterraneannaval supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean
– Arabs launched continual attacks on Constantinople.Arabs launched continual attacks on Constantinople.
• Wars with the Muslims added economic burdensWars with the Muslims added economic burdens
to the Empireto the Empire
– Invasions, taxation create larger aristocratic estatesInvasions, taxation create larger aristocratic estates
because of burden on small farmers.because of burden on small farmers.

12. BulgariaBulgaria
• Example of a SLAVIC territory that pressedExample of a SLAVIC territory that pressed
Byzantine territory in the Balkans.Byzantine territory in the Balkans.
– Bulgarian king takes the titleTsar, Slavic forBulgarian king takes the titleTsar, Slavic for
Caesar in the 10Caesar in the 10thth
century.century.
– Byzantine pressure erodes the regional kingdom.Byzantine pressure erodes the regional kingdom.
– Basil II (Byzantine Emperor) used ByzantineBasil II (Byzantine Emperor) used Byzantine
wealth to bribe wealthy Bulgarian nobles andwealth to bribe wealthy Bulgarian nobles and
generals, defeating their army in 1014.generals, defeating their army in 1014.

13. Byzantine Society and PoliticsByzantine Society and Politics
• 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 secularAppointed bishops and passed religious and secular
lawslaws
– 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 Classics,Secular school system with training in Greek Classics,
Philosophy, and Science…WITH church education.Philosophy, and Science…WITH church education.
• Aristocrats predominate, but talent came from highlyAristocrats predominate, but talent came from highly
educated scholarseducated scholars

14. Byzantine MilitaryByzantine Military
• Recruit troops locally and reward them withRecruit troops locally and reward them with
grants of land.grants of land.
• Hereditary military leaders gained regionalHereditary military leaders gained regional
power, displacing traditional and betterpower, displacing traditional and better
educated aristocrats.educated aristocrats.
• While this was bad for the empire, it helped toWhile this was bad for the empire, it helped to
protect a state that was constantly under attackprotect a state that was constantly under attack
from the Muslims (Persians, Arabs, andTurks), asfrom the Muslims (Persians, Arabs, andTurks), as
well as nomadic intruders from Central Asiawell as nomadic intruders from Central Asia

15. Byzantine Society and EconomicsByzantine Society and Economics
• Constantinople controlled the countrysideConstantinople controlled the countryside
– Bureaucracy regulated trade and controlled foodBureaucracy regulated trade and controlled food
prices.prices.
– Large peasant class was vital to provide the goodsLarge peasant class was vital to provide the goods
and supply the bulk of tax revenues.and supply the bulk of tax revenues.
• Empire had a huge trading network with Asia toEmpire had a huge trading network with Asia to
the east and Russia and Scandinavia to thethe east and Russia and Scandinavia to the
North. Empire also traded with India, the Arabs,North. Empire also traded with India, the Arabs,
and east Asia.The Empire received simplerand east Asia.The Empire received simpler
goods fromWestern Europe and Africa.goods fromWestern Europe and Africa.
– Merchants did not gain much power (like China)Merchants did not gain much power (like China)

16. Byzantine CultureByzantine Culture
• Centered on secular traditions of HellenismCentered on secular traditions of Hellenism
– Byzantine strength lay in preserving and commentingByzantine strength lay in preserving and commenting
on past literary and artistic formson past literary and artistic forms
– Art andArchitecture were exceptions to that rule.Art andArchitecture were exceptions to that rule.
• Religious mosaicsReligious mosaics
• Icon Painting-paintings of saints and otherIcon Painting-paintings of saints and other
religious figures.religious figures.
– Iconoclasm:A brief attack on religious imagery by aIconoclasm:A brief attack on religious imagery by a
Byzantine Emperor in the 8Byzantine Emperor in the 8thth
century.century.
– Monks threaten permanent split between church andMonks threaten permanent split between church and
state, and eventually use of icons was restored andstate, and eventually use of icons was restored and
state control over church was too.state control over church was too.

17. Iconic ImageryIconic Imagery

18. The SchismThe Schism
• Byzantine culture andByzantine culture and
politics, as well as thepolitics, as well as the
economics of the empireeconomics of the empire
being more orientedbeing more oriented
towards Asia andtowards Asia and
Northeastern Europe wasNortheastern Europe was
a sign of the East’sa sign of the East’s
growing break with thegrowing break with the
WestWest
• Eastern Christianity wasEastern Christianity was
headed by the Patriarchheaded by the Patriarch
who was the spiritualwho was the spiritual
leader of the Byzantineleader of the Byzantine
Empire...who was alsoEmpire...who was also
controlled by thecontrolled by the
Emperor.Emperor.
• Western Christianity wasWestern Christianity was
headed by the Pope whoheaded by the Pope who
exerted great controlexerted great control
over the Medieval rulersover the Medieval rulers
ofWestern Europe.ofWestern Europe.

19. The SchismThe Schism
• Issues…Issues…
– West translates Greek Bible into LatinWest translates Greek Bible into Latin
– Byzantine Emperors resent papal attempts toByzantine Emperors resent papal attempts to
interfere in the iconoclastic dispute.interfere in the iconoclastic dispute.
• Loss of state-control in the east would benefit theLoss of state-control in the east would benefit the
pope.pope.
– Hostility towards Charlemagne to proclaimHostility towards Charlemagne to proclaim
himself a Roman Emperor in the 9himself a Roman Emperor in the 9thth
CenturyCentury
• Belief that western rulers were crude andBelief that western rulers were crude and
unsophisticatedunsophisticated

20. The Schism-1054The Schism-1054
• A number of issues come up for debate…ofA number of issues come up for debate…of
them,them,
– Patriarch attacked the Roman Catholic practice ofPatriarch attacked the Roman Catholic practice of
celibacy for its priests.celibacy for its priests.
• As a result of the debate, the Roman CatholicAs a result of the debate, the Roman Catholic
pope excommunicated the Patriarch and hispope excommunicated the Patriarch and his
followers.followers.
– The Patriarch responded by excommunicating allThe Patriarch responded by excommunicating all
Catholics.Catholics.
• Thus, the split betweenWest and East was done.Thus, the split betweenWest and East was done.

21. Decline of the Byzantine EmpireDecline of the Byzantine Empire
• Turkish troops, the Seljuks, seized most of theTurkish troops, the Seljuks, seized most of the
Asiatic provinces of the Empire.Asiatic provinces of the Empire.
• Loss in battle of Manzikert in 1071 never allowedLoss in battle of Manzikert in 1071 never allowed
Byzantine Army to recover.Byzantine Army to recover.
• Creation of new, independent Slavic kingdoms inCreation of new, independent Slavic kingdoms in
the Balkans (like Serbia) showed the Empire’sthe Balkans (like Serbia) showed the Empire’s
diminished power.diminished power.
• Eastern leaders appeal to the west for assistanceEastern leaders appeal to the west for assistance
against theTurks, but they were ignored.against theTurks, but they were ignored.

22. Decline of the Byzantine EmpireDecline of the Byzantine Empire
• Signs of shifting power include the increasedSigns of shifting power include the increased
impact of Italian trading cities with the ports ofimpact of Italian trading cities with the ports of
Constantinople.Constantinople.
• 1204 CE Crusade to take back Holy Land actually1204 CE Crusade to take back Holy Land actually
turned against Constantinople!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 powerful1453-Turkish Ottoman Sultan brings his powerful
army, with artillery purchased from the west toarmy, with artillery purchased from the west to
Constantinople.The city falls in under twoConstantinople.The city falls in under two
months.months.
• The fall of the Byzantine Empire was one of theThe fall of the Byzantine Empire was one of the
great events inWorld Historygreat events inWorld History

24. Spread of Civilization to EasternSpread of Civilization to Eastern
EuropeEurope
• Orthodox missionaries were sent from theOrthodox missionaries were sent from the
Byzantine Empire northward to extend the scopeByzantine Empire northward to extend the scope
of Christianity through the Balkans to the Centralof Christianity through the Balkans to the Central
Asian lands.Asian lands.
• East-Central Borderlands (the areas north of theEast-Central Borderlands (the areas north of the
Balkans, in betweenWestern Europe and Asia)Balkans, in betweenWestern Europe and Asia)
were Regional Kingdoms, loosely governed,were Regional Kingdoms, loosely governed,
under a powerful land-owning aristocracy.under a powerful land-owning aristocracy.
– Kingdoms of Poland, Bohemia (Czechoslovakia), andKingdoms of Poland, Bohemia (Czechoslovakia), and
Lithuania.Lithuania.

26. Kievan Rus’Kievan Rus’
• Slavic peoples had moved into the plains ofSlavic peoples had moved into the plains of
Russia and Eastern Europe during the RomanRussia and Eastern Europe during the Roman
Empire.Empire.
• Slavs already used iron, extended agricultureSlavs already used iron, extended agriculture
into the Ukraine, had political organizationinto the Ukraine, had political organization
that rested in family tribe and villages, andthat rested in family tribe and villages, and
maintained an animist religion.They also hadmaintained an animist religion.They also had
great folk music and oral legends.great folk music and oral legends.
– Development of loose regional kingdoms.Development of loose regional kingdoms.

27. SlavsSlavs
• Origins of Slavic PeoplesOrigins of Slavic Peoples

28. Kievan Rus’Kievan Rus’
• Scandinavian traders worked through Slavic lands, andScandinavian traders worked through Slavic lands, and
being militarily superior, set up governments along theirbeing militarily superior, set up governments along their
trade routes, particularly in the city of Kievtrade routes, particularly in the city of Kiev

29. Kievan Rus’Kievan Rus’
• Rurik, a native ofRurik, a native of
Denmark, became theDenmark, became the
first prince of Kievanfirst prince of Kievan
Rus’ in 855 CE.Rus’ in 855 CE.
• The ScandinaviansThe Scandinavians
coined the term Russia.coined the term Russia.
• Scandinavian minorityScandinavian minority
gradually mixed withgradually mixed with
the Slavs.the Slavs.

30. Kievan Rus’Kievan Rus’
• Kiev becomes an activeKiev becomes an active
trading center with thetrading center with the
Byzantine Empire.Byzantine Empire.
• PrinceVladimir I, aPrinceVladimir I, a
Rurik descendent whoRurik descendent who
ruled from 980-1015ruled from 980-1015
converted himself andconverted himself and
all his people toall his people to
Christianity.Christianity.
– Massed, forcedMassed, forced
conversions.conversions.
• The Russian OrthodoxThe Russian Orthodox
Church developed fromChurch developed from
influence by theinfluence by the
Byzantines.Byzantines.
• Kiev issued a formal lawKiev issued a formal law
code under Rurik’scode under Rurik’s
descendents.descendents.
• Yaroslav arranged theYaroslav arranged the
translation of religioustranslation of religious
literature from Greek toliterature from Greek to
Slavic.Slavic.

31. Russian CultureRussian Culture
• Influenced by theInfluenced by the
Byzantines, andByzantines, and
Orthodox Christianity.Orthodox Christianity.
– Devotion to the powerDevotion to the power
of God and Easternof God and Eastern
SaintsSaints
– Ornate churches filledOrnate churches filled
with Icons and incense.with Icons and incense.
– Monastic movementMonastic movement
stresses prayer andstresses prayer and
charity.charity.
• Russian and UkrainianRussian and Ukrainian
art focused on theart focused on the
religious alsoreligious also
– Icon paintingIcon painting
– Byzantine architecture.Byzantine architecture.
• Strong competitionStrong competition
between religious artbetween religious art
and music with popularand music with popular
entertainments/folkentertainments/folk
musicmusic

32. Russian Social/Economic lifeRussian Social/Economic life
• Russian peasants wereRussian peasants were
free farmersfree farmers
• Aristocratic landlordAristocratic landlord
class existed.class existed.
• Russian aristocrats,Russian aristocrats,
called Boyars, didn’tcalled Boyars, didn’t
have as much power ashave as much power as
landowners in the west.landowners in the west.
But, Kievan princes hadBut, Kievan princes had
to recognize andto recognize and
negotiate with them.negotiate with them.
• Yaroslav arranges overYaroslav arranges over
30 marriages to create30 marriages to create
ties with Centralties with Central
European Royalty,European Royalty,
including 11 withincluding 11 with
Germany.Germany.

33. Kievan DeclineKievan Decline
• In the 12In the 12thth
Century, Kiev fades…aided by theCentury, Kiev fades…aided by the
slowdown and disruption to its neighbor to theslowdown and disruption to its neighbor to the
south, the Byzantine Empire.south, the Byzantine Empire.
• 1237-1238, and 1240-1241: Mongol Invasions1237-1238, and 1240-1241: Mongol Invasions
(Tatars) take over most of the weakened Russian(Tatars) take over most of the weakened Russian
Cities, but fail to press west.Cities, but fail to press west.
• Over 200 years, Russia remained underTatarOver 200 years, Russia remained underTatar
Control, separating Russia from the dynamism ofControl, separating Russia from the dynamism of
Western Europe during this time.Western Europe during this time.
– Allowed for the continuation of day-to-day RussianAllowed for the continuation of day-to-day Russian
affairs (religion, etc.).affairs (religion, etc.).

34. Third RomeThird Rome
• After the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the weakening ofTatarAfter the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the weakening ofTatar
(Mongol) influence on Russia, in 1511 it was seen the Russia would(Mongol) influence on Russia, in 1511 it was seen the Russia would
inherit the glory and grandeur of theThird Rome.inherit the glory and grandeur of theThird Rome.