Background

300 Constantine establishes 2nd capital in the Roman Empire—Constantinople

476 Roman Empire Falls Holy Roman Empire in the West--Pope Byzantine Empire in the East--Emperor Both Catholic

Byzantine Empire

Once part of the greater roman Empire Flourished from an eastern Mediterranean

base after Rome declined Inherited and continued some of Rome’s

heritage, but developed its own civilization.

Constantinople

Constantine established Constantinople– Greek is the official language– Benefited from the former Hellenistic world and

region’s prosperous commerce

Arab Pressure

Empire centered in the Balkans, western and central Turkey, blending Christianity and Hellenistic culture

Withstood Advance of Arab Muslims– Free rural population, provider of military recruits

and taxes were weakened– Aristocratic class grew larger– 10th C. Strongest contemporary ruler

Society and Politics

Emperor ordained by God, surrounded by elaborate court ritual

Women occasionally held the throne Bureaucracy supported imperial authority Officials recruited from all social classes Troops recruited locally and given land in return for

service in the military Developed regional power and displaced better

educated aristocrats.

Social and Economic

Depended upon Constantinople’s control of the country side

Bureaucracy regulated trade and food prices Peasants supplied the food and provided most

tax revenues Urban class was kept satisfied by low food

prices Widespread commercial network

Social and Economic

Commercial network extended into Asia, Russia, Scandinavia, Western Europe and Africa

Silk production was a large export Merchant class never developed political

power

Split between East and West

Culture, political organization and economic orientation help explain the rift between the eastern and western versions of Christianity

Hostility over Charlemagne (Frankish King) to be the next Roman Emperor (Western Ruler)

Split between East and West

1054 – Arguments over type of bread (yeast) used in the

mass and the issue of priest celibacy– West translates the Greek bible into Latin– Byzantine emperor resents Papal attempts to

interfere in Icon disputes Catholic Church in the West Greek Orthodox in the East Become and remain separate, but continue to share a

common classic heritage

Empire’s Decline

Muslim Turkish invaders seized almost all of the empire’s Asian provinces

Removed the most important sources of taxes and food

Independent Slavic states appeared in the Balkans Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204 Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453