Chapter 16

The Two Worlds of Christendom

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Medieval Christendom

Two halves Byzantine empire Germanic states

Inherited Christianity from Roman empire After eighth century, tensions between two halves

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Successor States to the Roman Empire, ca. 600 C.E.

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The Early Byzantine Empire

Capital: Byzantium On the Bosporus Golden Horn

Commercial, strategic value of location Constantine names capital after himself

(Constantinople), moves capital there after 330 C.E.

1453, falls to Turks, renamed Istanbul

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Caesaropapism

Power centralized in figure of emperor Christian leader cannot claim divinity, rather

divine authority Political rule Involved in religious rule as well Authority absolute

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The Byzantine Court

Etiquette reinforces authority of emperor Royal purple Prostration Mechanical devices designed to inspire awe

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Justinian (527-565 C.E.)

The “sleepless emperor” Wife Theodora as advisor Background: circus performer

Ambitious construction programs The church of Hagia Sophia

Justinian’s code: codification of Roman law

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Byzantine Conquests

Effort to reconquer much of western Roman empire from Germanic people

Unable to consolidate control of territories Abandon Rome Ravenna

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Muslim Conquests

Seventh century, Arab Muslim expansion Besieged Byzantium 674-678, 717-718 Defense made possible through use of “Greek

fire”

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Theme System

Themes (provinces) under control of generals Military administration Control from central imperial government Soldiers from peasant class, rewarded with land

grants

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The Germanic Successor States

Last Roman emperor deposed by Germanic Odoacer, 476 C.E.

Administrative apparatus still in place, but cities lose population

Germanic successor states: Visigoths Ostrogoths Lombards Franks

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The Franks

Heavy influence on European development, fifth to ninth centuries

Conversion to Christianity gains popular support Firm alliance with western Christian church

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The Carolingians

Charles “the Hammer” Martel begins Carolingian dynasty

Defeats Spanish Muslims at Battle of Tours (732) Halts Islamic advance into western Europe

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Charlemagne (r. 768-814)

Grandson of Charles Martel Centralized imperial rule Functional illiterate, but sponsored extensive

scholarship Major military achievements

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Charlemagne’s Administration

Capital at Aachen, Germany Yet constant travel throughout empire Imperial officials: missi dominici (“envoys of the

lord ruler”) Continued yearly circuit travel

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Charlemagne as Emperor

Hesitated to challenge Byzantines by taking title “emperor” Yet ruled in fact

Pope Leo III crowns him as emperor in 800 Planned in advance? Challenge to Byzantium

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The Carolingian Empire, 814 C.E.

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Louis the Pious (r. 814-840)

Son of Charlemagne Lost control of courts, local authorities Civil war erupts among three sons Empire divided in 843

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Invasions

South: Muslims East: Magyars North: Vikings Norse expansion driven by population pressure, quest

for wealth Superior seafaring technology

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The Vikings

From village of Vik, Norway (hence “Viking”) Boats with shallow drafts, capable of river travel

as well as on open seas Attacked villages, cities, monasteries from ninth

century Constantinople sacked three times

Carolingians had no navy, dependent on local defenses

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The Dissolution of the Carolingian Empire (843 C.E.) and the Invasions of Early Medieval Europe in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries

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Economy in Medieval Christendom

Byzantium – economic powerhouse Agricultural surplus Long-distance trade

Western Christendom Repeated invasions contribute to agricultural decline Tenth century, increased political stability leads to

economic recovery

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Byzantine Peasantry

Free peasantry kept Byzantium strong Supported by the theme system

Decline after eleventh century Wealthy accumulated large estates

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Manufacturing and Trade in Byzantium

Trade routes bring key technologies, e.g. silk industry

Advantage of location causes crafts and industry to expand after sixth century

Bezant becomes standard currency Tax revenues from silk route

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Manufacturing and Trade in Western Europe

Invasions and political turmoil disrupt commercial activities

Agricultural innovations Heavy plow; water mills; special horse collar

Small scale exchange; maritime trade in Mediterranean

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Norse Merchant Mariners

Commerce or plunder as convenient Link with the Islamic world for trade

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Byzantium: Urban Society

Aristocrats: palaces Artisans: apartments Working poor: communal living spaces Hippodrome Chariot races, “greens vs. blues” Politically inspired rioting

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Western Europe: Rural Society

Concept of feudalism Lords and vassals Increasingly inadequate model for describing complex

society Ad hoc arrangements in absence of strong central

authorities

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Organizing in a Decentralized Society

Local nobles take over administration from weak central government

Nominal allegiances, especially to Carolingian kings

But increasing independence

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Lords and Retainers

Formation of small private armies Incentives: land grants, income from mills, cash

payments Formation of hereditary class of military retainers Development of other functions Justice, social welfare

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Peasants’ Rights and Obligations

Obligation to provide labor, payments in kind to lord

Unable to move from land Fees charged for marrying serfs of another lord

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Population Growth in Christendom

During fifth and sixth century, population fluctuations

By eighth century, demographic recovery Political stability Productive agriculture

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Population Growth of Europe, 200-1000 C.E.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

200 400 600 800 900 1000

Millions

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Evolution of Christian Societies

Christianity main source of religious, moral, and cultural authority

Two halves disagree on doctrine, ritual, and church authority

By mid-eleventh century, two rival communities Eastern Orthodox Roman Catholic

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Pope Gregory I (590-604 C.E.)

“Gregory the Great” Asserted papal primacy Prominent theologian Sacrament of penance

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The Byzantine Church

Church and state closely aligned Byzantine emperors appoint patriarchs Treated as a department of state

Caesaropapism creates dissent in church

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Iconoclasm

Emperor Leo III (r. 717-741 C.E.) Destruction of icons after 726 C.E. Popular protest, rioting Policy abandoned 843 C.E.

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Asceticism

Hermit-like existence Celibacy Fasting Prayer

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St. Basil (329-379 C.E.) and St. Benedict (480-547 C.E.) Both established consistent rule for monasteries Poverty Chastity Obedience

St. Scholastica (482-543 C.E.) Sister of St. Benedict Adapts Benedictine Rule for convents

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Monasticism and Society

Social welfare projects Inns, orphanages, hospitals

Agents in spread of Christianity Missionaries – Christian cultural zone in western part

of Eurasian continent England Northern Germany; Scandinavia

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Influence on Slavic Cultures

Saints Cyril and Methodius Missions in Bulgaria and Moravia Create Cyrillic alphabet

Slavic lands develop orientation to Byzantium Prince Vladimir of Kiev converts

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Tensions between Eastern and Western Christianity

Ritual disputes Beards on clergy Leavened bread for Mass

Theological disputes Iconoclasm Nature of the Trinity

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Schism

Arguments over hierarchy, jurisdiction Autonomy of patriarchs, or primacy of Rome? 1054, patriarch of Constantinople and pope of

Rome excommunicate each other East: Orthodox church West: Roman Catholic

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