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

Byzantine Empire

• 500 to 1200 A.D. • Byzantines =

wealthiest • standard of living higher

• World Leader• Art• Science• Buildings

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also disagreed on…

• When to celebrate EasterMarch 31 (C) May 5 (O)

• Should priests be allowed to marry?– Catholics NO– Orthodox YES

• Icons= images of Jesus & saints

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

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

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

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