Christian Civilizations in Eastern Europe: Byzantium &
Orthodox Europe Chapter 9
Slide 2
Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire with territory in the
Balkans, the Middle East, and the eastern Mediterranean, maintained
very high levels of political, economic, and cultural life between
500 and 1450 C.E. The Byzantine Empire, once part of the greater
Roman Empire continued flourishing from an eastern Mediterranean
base after Roman decline The empire continued many Roman patterns
and spread its Orthodox Christian civilization through most of
eastern Europe.
Slide 3
Emperor Constantine in the 4 th c. established capital at
Constantinople Greek became the official language after the 6 th c.
The empire benefited from the high level of civilization in the
former Hellenistic world (Alexander the Great) and from the regions
prosperous commerce
Slide 4
Important New Center Constantinople Second Rome Located on a
strait that linked Mediterranean and Black Seas Key trading route
linking Europe, Africa and Asia Buffer between Western Europe and
Asia Hellenistic culture After Alexanders death, Greek art,
education, and culture merged with those in the Middle East
Slide 5
Byzantine Heritage Built on the Hellenistic culture Christian
beliefs Greek science, art and literature Roman engineering
Slide 6
Byzantine Empire- ( Eastern Roman Empire )
Slide 7
The Age of Justinian 527-565 Byzantine empire reached greatest
size Wanted to recover what had been lost during the fall of Rome
Justinian rebuilt Constantinople in classical style; among the
architectural achievements was the huge church of Hagia Sophia
Slide 8
Body of Civil Law Justinians codification of Roman law;
reconciled Roman edicts and decisions; made Roman law a coherent
basis for political and economic life; Justinians greatest
achievement The revived empire withstood the 7 th c. advance of
Arab Muslims, although important regions were lost along the
eastern Mediterranean and the northern Middle East
Slide 9
Hagia Sophia Great domed church constructed during the reign of
Justinian
Slide 10
During Middle Ages Dispute over use of icons (Holy Images)
contributed to split Byzantine Emperor outlawed prayer to icons Two
branches of Christianity grew further apart 1054 provoked a
permanent split between Byzantine, Eastern (Greek) Orthodox and
Roman Catholic Church Iconoclasm refers to policies or people who
oppose the religious use of images and advocate the destruction of
such images
Slide 11
CHRISTIANS DIVIDED! Divisions in the Church West - Rome Pope in
Rome Latin Language Most important holy day = Christmas East -
Constantinople Patriarch in the Byzantine - rejected Popes
authority Clergy could marry Greek Language Most important holy day
= Easter
Slide 12
West vs. East The final break between the two churches occurred
in 1054 over arguments about the type of bread used in the mass and
the celibacy of priests
Slide 13
The long decline began in 11 th c. Muslim-Turkish (Seljuk
Turks) invaders seized almost all of the empires of Asian
provinces, removing the most important sources of taxes and food
Crusaders took Constantinople in 1204 (4 th Crusade) A smaller
empire struggled to survive for another two centuries In 1453, the
Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople
Slide 14
What happened to the Byzantine? Crusades Byzantine emperor
called for help to fight the Muslims headed for Jerusalem Muslims
took control of northern territories Muslims eventually took
Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul
Slide 15
Rise of Russia Ural Mountains provide a physical boundary
Wanted Moscow to be the Third Rome 3 regions helped shape early
Russian life North - Lumber and hunting South - Fertile land for
farming Steppe - treeless grassland Open to nomads from Asia and
Europe
Slide 16
Steppe Areas Great Highway Rivers linked Byzantine to Russia
Vladimir I ruler of Kiev (980- 1015) converted kingdom to orthodox
Christianity Russian Orthodox Russian form of Christianity brought
from the Byzantine Empire
Slide 17
First Civilization Kiev in Present day Ukraine Home of vital
trading networks Would become the center of the first Russian state
Boyars Russian landholding aristocrats; possessed less political
power than their western European counterparts Kiev Commercial city
in Ukraine established by Scandinavians in 9 th c.; became the
center for a kingdom that flourished until the 12th c.
Slide 18
Kiev and the Byzantine Empire Trade helped Kiev enter the
Byzantine empire 957 Princess Olga of Kiev converted to Byzantine
Christianity Grandson spread religion which gained strength Later
Prince Vladimir married the Byzantine emperors sister for political
reasons, thus he accepted Eastern Orthodox Christianity for himself
and his people Russians started to adapt religious art, music, and
architecture
Slide 19
Onion Domes Ttype of architectural dome that frequently adorns
Russian Orthodox Churches. domeRussian Orthodox ChurchesdomeRussian
Orthodox Churches The domes are often brightly painted; the colors
symbolize different aspects of religion. Green, blue, and gold
domes represent the Holy Trinity, the Spirit of God, and Jesus,
respectively. Holy Trinity JesusHoly Trinity Jesus
Slide 20
Slide 21
Mongol Influences Mongols - Nomadic people from central Asia;
United by Chinnghis Khan Looted and burned city of Kiev Russian
princes had to pay money to rule without Mongol interference Mongol
rule cut off Russian contacts with Western Europe which were making
advances in art and science Russian Orthodox grows stronger due to
religious toleration Tatars Mongols who conquered Russian cities
during the 13 th c.; left Russian church and aristocracy
intact
Slide 22
Moscow Takes Lead With their location near trading rivers,
Moscow steadily increased their power Head of Russian Orthodox
church made Moscow capital Moscow became political and spiritual
center of Russia
Slide 23
Ivan the Great - Ivan III Recovered Russian territories that
were lost to invaders Tried to limit the power of boyars
(landowning nobles) Took on the title of Czar (Russian for
Caesar)
Slide 24
Ivan the Terrible - Ivan IV Grandson of Ivan III Nobles granted
land for military service Tied serfs to land Introduced Russia to
extreme absolute power in Eastern Europe
Slide 25
Recap Byzantine: Greek language Claimed right to appoint the
head of the church Did not accept Pope as leader of the church
Taxes provided money to run a government & army Western Europe:
Latin language in churches Pope had power and the people accepted
Trade, town life and learning declined after the fall of Rome
Slide 26
Shaping Eastern Europe Geography makes the area a cultural
crossroad Crusades will bring in Muslims to area
Slide 27
The Least You Need to Know Byzantine Empire a crossroads of
trade and a center of cultural diffusion between the East and the
West Byzantine missionaries spread Orthodox Christianity to the
Slavic and Germanic tribes
Slide 28
Continued The East Slavs migrated to Kiev to form an
independent city-state which was later conquered by the Mongols The
principality of Moscow overthrew the Mongols and maintained a
strong tie with Byzantine culture, identifying itself by extension
with the tradition of imperial Rome
