The Commonwealth of Byzantium

Questions to Consider as You work through this ChapterHow did the Byzantine Empire interact with

western Europe?How did the Byzantine Empire interact with

the rising Islamic World?How did Christianity come to be divided into

eastern and western traditions?How did the Byzantine Empire interact with

eastern Europe?

The Early Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire – Sometimes called the Byzantine

Commonwealth, existed for nearly one thousand years as the “economic and political powerhouse of the postclassical era.”Dominated the wealthy and productive eastern

Mediterranean regionLed to the formation of large, multicultural zones of trade

and communication, and sustained interactions with Slavic, Arab, European, and Asian peoples and traditions.

Had readily available overland and sea access to Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Capital was Constantinople, later name Istanbul by the Ottoman Turks.

The Early Byzantine Empire The Later Roman Empire and Byzantium

Early Byzantine Empire, more accurately called the eastern Roman Empire, struggled against pressure from the SASANID Dynasty of Persia and the migratory peoples of the east and north.

Survived the fall of western Rome in 476 CE and served as the “powerhouse of the eastern Mediterranean basin” into the 13th century.

5

The Byzantine empire and its neighbors 527-554 C.E.

The Early Byzantine EmpireThe Later Roman Empire and Byzantium

Two element of Byzantium more responsible for its survival: Caesaropapism – Gave the emperor absolute

secular power and religious power to appoint the patriarch of the Eastern Christian Church (Pope).

Elaborate Government Bureaucracy – Large and intricate, essential in enforcing Byzantine laws.

The Early Byzantine EmpireJustinian and His Legacy

Famous for his wife, his building projects, and his laws

Theodora – Justinian’s wife and his closest advisor

Rebuilt Constantinople and the Church of Hagia Sophia

Justinian’s Code (Known as Corpus iuris civilis) – Served as the source of legal inspiration in the Byzantine empire for nearly one thousand years and influenced law codes throughout western Europe as well.

Church of Hagia Sophia

The Church of Hagia Sophia was coverted into a mosque in 1453. Can you find the Muslim influences?

The Church of Hagia Sophia was coverted into a mosque in 1453. Can you find the Muslim influences?

Early Byzantine EmpireIslamic Conquest and Byzantine Revival

By early eighth century, the Byzantines had lost control of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and North Africa.

Got it back through use of the theme system Territories divided into themes ruled by a general

who had military and political power and used land to recruit peasants into their armies.

Early Byzantine EmpireByzantium and Western Europe

Relations were often strained between Byzantium and Western Europe

Differences in church language, ecclesiastical practices, and secular ties provoked conflict between these two branches of Christianity.

Byzantines maintained their claim to the remains of the Roman empire in the west despite the rising power of Germanic groups, especially Charlemagne and the Franks.

Rise of the Holy Roman Empire after 962 severed and antagonized both formerly connected empires.

Byzantine Economy and SocietyLocation at a trade crossroads, abundant

agricultural surpluses, and the tradition of a strong craft and artisan class formed the basis of a strong economic class.

Byzantine Economy and SocietyRural economy and society

Free peasants who worked on and owned small plots of land formed the basis of the rural economy in Byzantium.

Eventually driven off land by wealthier land owners.

Economy and SocietyIndustry and Trade

Produced glassware, textiles, gems, jewelry, fine gold, and silver metalwork.

Smuggled silkworms and silkworm technology from China.

Revived trade along the silk road and taxes on goods produced and brought to Byzantine empire made them very wealthy.

Economy and SocietyUrban Life

Aristocrats had elaborate homesArtisans and merchants lived in shopsPoor lived in tenements or apartment homesEntertainment included horse races, baths,

taverns, restaurants, theaters, circuses, and gaming houses.

Classical Heritage and Orthodox ChristianityPhilosophy and literature of classical Greece

had a major influence on Christianity in Byzantium.

By the mid-eleventh century, differences in doctrine, ritual, and church authority had lead to a formal split between Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholic Christianity.

Classical Heritage and Orthodox ChristianityThe Legacy of Classical Greece

Greek was the language of Byzantium Most Byzantines had some form of education and

the Greek classics formed the basis of much of that education

The Byzantine ChurchCaesaropapism defined the relationship

between the church and state in Byzantium.Emperors treated the church as a part of their

governmentAppointed the patriarch of Constantinople and

instructed church officials to preach obedience to imperial authority as obedience to God.

Monasticism and Popular PietyOrthodox Christianity has a strong tradition

of asceticism and monasticism.Monks sought mystical union with God through

meditation and prayer.Some orthodox monks and nuns served God by

providing social services such as providing food and medical care in times of crisis.

Tensions between Eastern and Western ChristianityBy seventh century only Constantinople and Rome

remained as the principal centers of Christian authority.

Soon clashed over religious and theological issuesUse of iconsType of bread used during communionWhether priests should marry or even shaveRelationship between God, Jesus, and the Holy SpiritLanguage of massSplit between Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic

Church is know as the great schism of east and west and was finalized in 1054 CE.

22

The Byzantine empire and its neighbors 527-554 C.E.

Influence of Byzantium in Eastern EuropeBy the eleventh century, Byzantium was in a

period of decline. Surrounded by Islamic and western European societies, Byzantium turned its political, social, and cultural attention to Russia and eastern Europe where it had an enduring impact on the Slavic peoples of that region.

24

The Byzantine empire and its neighbors about 1100 C.E.

Byzantium DeclineDomestic Problems and Foreign Pressures

Reduction in land availability to the free peasants meant fewer recruits available for military service and lower tax revenues for the imperial government.

Eventually lead to the end of the Byzantine empire.