This document provides an overview of Chapter 6 which will cover three non-western civilizations: the Byzantine Empire from 500-1200 AD, the Muslim caliphates, and Kievan Rus (ancient Russia). It focuses on the Byzantine Empire, detailing its origins as the eastern half of the Roman Empire based in Constantinople, its cultural and economic heights under the rule of Justinian in the 6th century, and its gradual military and territorial declines beginning in the 7th century from invasions and competition from neighboring powers like the Lombards, Arabs, Bulgars, and Seljuk Turks.

1. Overview of Chapter 6
• We will learn about 3 non-western civilizations
• Lived chronologically parallel to Middle Ages
in Europe
– Byzantine
– Muslim
– Russia
• Preserve
Western culture

2. Byzantine Empire
• 500 to 1200 A.D.
• Byzantines =
wealthiest
• standard of living
higher
• World Leader
• Art
• Science
• Buildings

3. Jesus foretold:
• GROWTH OF CHURCH
– “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man
took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all
seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants
and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its
branches.” Matthew 13:31-32
• CONTAMINATION OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH
– “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed
in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came
and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When
the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also
appeared.” Matthew 13:24-30

4. Rise of New Rome
• 330 AD – Constantinople new capital
– Europe meets Asia
• land & sea trade
– Political and religious center
– People considered themselves Roman
• Custom and traditions
• code of laws and political structure
• Culture was influenced more by Greeks and Asians

6. Justinian Reign
• 1st Great Period (527 – 565)
• Justinian rose from humble beginnings
– Help/counsel from wife Theodora
– Nika Revolt 532
• Justinian was ready to flee; Theodora
encouraged him to stay
• He stayed and crushed revolt, established his
authority
– Restored greatness of Roman Empire
• lands back from barbarians
– N. Africa, Spain and Italy
– Byzantine Empire at its greatest size

7. Justinian Reign
• Justinian Code of Law
– Appointed 10 scholars to organize many laws
– Result = Systematic arrangement of laws that clarified
legal principles adopted from Romans
• Golden Age of Culture
– Extensive building programs
• Churches, public buildings, aqueducts, roads
– Patronized art
– Haggia Sophia = best example of Byzantine Architecture

8. • “forceful exercise in demonstrating power through art as propaganda”
• “fusing political and religious imagery for a double statement of authority”

10. Church – East/West Split
• Constantinople East
• Rome West
• Pope 1054 – takes over south Italian patriarchates
from patriarch
• Patriarch refused to accept this, gets angry
– Pope excommunicates Patriarch
• Deprive of sacraments and exclude from fellowship of
believers
– Patriarch excommunicates Pope
Rivalry

11. Also disagreed on…
• When to celebrate Easter
March 31 (C) May 5 (O)
• Should priests be allowed to
marry?
– Catholics NO
– Orthodox YES
• Icons= images of Jesus &
saints

12. Influences from outside:
WEST
• Ancient Rome
• Barbarian Tribes
• Bishop of Rome
– Ultimate leader
EAST
• Greek Influence
• Oriental Influence
• Became one of most
powerful institutions of
empire
• Emperor = head of state
& protector of church

13. Empire Under Siege
• Empire grew and shrunk from 6th to 15th
centuries
• Attacked from all sides
– Lombards from West
– Slavs and Bulgars from North
– Persians from East
– Muslim Arabs (7th century)
• Took Syria, Palestine, Egypt, N. Africa

15. 2nd Period of Great Byzantine Empire
• 850 – 1050 recovered former glory
• Pushed back Muslim Arabs
• Basil II (976-1025)
– Called the Bulgar Slayer
• Crushed the Bulgars in Balkan Region
– Recovered commercial and culture interests
• Abounded in riches, trade, art & architecture
• Merchants and missionaries carried influence to far lands

16. Rivals
• Venice, Italy commercial challenger
• Slejuk Turks in East
– Originally nomadic tribes from Asia
– Islam religion & Arab culture
• Battle of Manzikert 1071
– Turks beat Byzantine army in Asia Minor
– Significance: Foreshadowing of Turks rise to power and
Byzantine decline of power