Development of both empires

1. Cover created by
Cristina de la Vega Lienhart

3. 1. THE DIVISION OF THE
ROMAN EMPIRE
In 395 A.D. Emperor Theodosius
divided the empire into two parts:
• Western Roman Empire
• Eastern Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire was
invaded by barbarians and
disappeared in 476 A.D., considered as
the start of the Middle Ages. The
territory was slpit up in several
kingdoms (a patchwork of kingdoms)
: Franks, Visigoths, Ostrogods, Angles
and Saxons.
Split up: separarse,
dividirse

4. However, all these kingdoms had
things in common:
• Elected monarchy.
• A rural way of life.
• An economy based on
agriculture and livestock farming.

5. 2. THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
2.1. TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT
• The Eastern Roman Empire was also called
Byzantine Empire. This part survived after
barbarian attacks.
• At the beginning of the 6th century the
territories were: Greece, the Anatolian
Peninsula, The Balkans, Syria, Palestine and
Egypt.
• Emperor Justinian (527-565)-Justiniano-
conquered many places. It was the golden age
of the Byzantine Empire.
• The Italian Peninsula, part of Northern
Africa, South-East of the Iberian
Peninsula.

6. What happened after his death?
The Empire began to lose all the conquered
territories.
Why?
• External enemies: Persians and
Muslims.
• Political crisis
• Religious crisis
Finally the Empire was reduced to
Constantinople and this region was
conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

7. 2.2. THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION
Emperor had absolute power, and he was
believed to be like a God.
• He was the highest political authority and
head of the army.
• He was also the supreme legislator and
judge. He compiled a code of laws called
Justinian’s code.
The Byzantine Empire was divided in the themes
(provinces), ruled by a strategoi.
There was an efficient administration system
run by many skilled officials. oficiales habilidosos, formados.

9. 2.3. ECONOMY
• Agriculture was the main source of wealth:
olives, cereals, etc.
• Craftwork: silk, jewllery, perfumes
• Trade: textiles, wine, jewels, were exported, and
furs, ivory, spices and perfume were imported.
2.4. SOCIETY
Rural society:
• Landowners (latifundia)
• Peasants
Urban society:
• Ruling class (landowners, high officials,
wealthy merchants)
• Lower class (small merchants, craftmen,
slaves)

10. 2.5. CULTURE, ARCHITECTURE
AND ART
Culture:
• Influenced by both East and West.
• Literary activity: encyclopedias, poetry,
biographies of Saints, etc.
Architecture and art:
• Churches: Basilical plan and Greek
cross plan.
(Check vocabulary unit 1) !!!
• The main example of a basilica is
Hagia Sophia (Constantinopla,
Istambul)

11. Activity.
This video shows up the history of Istanbul, old Constantinople and years after Byzantium, the capital
of the old Byzantine Empire. It is interesting to analyze how it is today with all the historical remains,
basically temples, we can visit and have the experience to travel back in time.
Listen to it and then answer the questions;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYUPjJ6ZrQo
1. What is the main particularity of the city of Istanbul in geographical terms?
2. Who promoted Hagia Sophia? (He was an emperor)What kind of building is
it?
3. What happened to this temple in 1453?
4. According to the video where was the center of the city social life located?

12. For more information about HAGIA SOPHIA and its construction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOExHX45jLQ

13. 3. THE FRANKS AND THE
CAROLINGIANS
3.1. THE FRANKISH KINGDOM
• The Franks settled in Gaul (France)
• The Frankish ruler Clovis (481-511)
converted to Catholicism, unifying
Gallo-Romans and Franks. He
defeated the Visigoths in the Battlle
of Vouillé (507).
• The Visigoths settlled permanently
on the Iberian Peninsula with its
capital in Toledo.

14. • During the 7th century, Clovis’
successors left government in the
hands of the mayors of the palace.
Among them was CHARLES
MARTEL, who defeated the
Muslims at the Battle of Poitiers
(732).
• When Charles Martel died, his son
Pippin the Short (Pipino el Breve)
deposed the last Frankish king
with the Pope’s approval. This was
the start of the Carolingian dynasty.

15. 3.2. THE CAROLINGIAN EMPIRE
a) Territorial development
• After Pippin’s death, his son, Charlemagne(CARLOMAGNO) became king.
• His empire extended across the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula end
the Centre and South of Europe.
• He was proclaimed Holy Roman Emperor by pope Leo III in Saint
Peter’s Church in Rome (San Pedro de Roma) at Christmas in 800.
• Succeeded by his son Loius the Pious (Luis el Piadoso), 814-840, the reign
power struggles began to break out.
• After his death the Empire was divided by his three sons, in the Treaty of
Verdum (843).

16. • Charles the Bald (Carlos el Calvo) received the Western zone.
• Lothair (Lotario) received the middle zone.
• Louis the German received the Eastern zone.
b) Political Organisation
1. Central organisation. Organised around the palace (emperor’s court)
in Aachen (Aquisgrán). The Most important officials were:
• The cancellor (canciller), who drew up official documents.
• The seneschal (senestral), who was in charge of household
provisions at court.
• The count of the palace, (conde de palacio/primer ministro)
who presided over the royal tribunal in the emperor’s name.

17. 2. The Administration of the Empire’s territory.
• Counties (condados): territories ruled by a count
(conde) appointed (elegidos) by the emperor. His
duties were collecting taxes, carrying out imperial
commands, administrating justice, recruiting
troops.
• Marches (marcas): territories lying on frontier or
recently conquered areas. Governed by a marquis
(marqués) in charge of the troops.
Both positions were controlled by palace
inspectors called missi dominici, consisting of:
two court officials, a noble and a bishop.
Important!!!

18. c) Economy
• The main economic activity was agriculture. Villages were self-sufficient
(autosuficientes).
• Trade wasn’t very important, although we find some markets. Comercial
exchanges declined because of the expansion of the Islam.
d) Society
It was hierarchical (jerárquica) It is considered to be the origin of the
feudalism or manorial system!

19. e) Culture
Charlemagne founded the
Palatine Academy in Aachen
with the aim of educating his
officials. It was directed by
Alcuin of York (Alcuino de York)
They studied:
• Grammar
• Rhetoric
• Arithmetic
• Geometry
• Astronomy
• Music

20. THE PALACE COMPLEX

21. Watch the following video about Charlemagne:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER5pZ4sj85g
Answer the questions:
1. What are the other names given to the emperor Charlemagne?
2. When a were was he crowned and by who?
3. What happened to the Western Roman Empire that made it so
difficult to govern?
4. What happened to the Papal States?