The+Byzantine+Empire

The Byzantine Empire: Ghosts of Rome Constantinople's central location at the borders of the Black and Mediterranean Seas helped shape it's development by easing military conquest. Being that Constantinople was open to invasion from the sea, but was far more accessable via land. This would've prompted the Byzantines to develop a strong land-based army and Navy, being that they are so easily accessible from all sides. They would've most likely placed the most emphasis on defending the straits which connect the Black and Mediterranean seas(Bosporus), not only for trading purposes, but also to prevent seabourne invasion. With no natural barriers (in an age where sailing was very common), the Byzantine empire could've been influenced to strongly fortify their city and spread out from there.

Homework 1.1- Notes on Byzantine foundation and Justinian

The Byzantine Empire began in the 4th century BC, when Constantine set up a capital in Constantinople.It was built on the previously humble village of Byzantium, including many Christian Churches from it's beginning.Soon, a separate emperor rules the East and the West, and as the West (roman) declined the east continued it's growth and prosperous lifestyle.The Byzantines successfully warded off the Huns and other invaders to develop a strong tax based on peasant agriculture.Although Latin was widely spoken, and was the court language, many citizens also spoke greek, which was made the official language after Justinian's rule.Knowledge of Greek allowed Byzantine Scholars to freely research the ancient philosophy and achievements of the Hellenistic Kingdoms.The empire benefitted greatly from the high levels of commerce along the eastern mediterranean, and while they faced many foreign enemies, the Germanic tribes in the west were far more forceful.The administration was strengthened by incorporating local people, including local Hellenized Egyptians and Syrians. (The Hagia Sofia that Justinian built)

In 533AD, Justinian attempted to conquer western territory, with hopes of Restoring the greatness of rome.He was known for being heavily influenced by his wife Theodora, for being " at once villainous and amenable; as people say colloquially, a Moron." Justinian's positive contributions included rebuilding constantinople after it was ravaged by riots against high taxes, and systematizing the roman legal code. Justinian's builder created many new structures, including the Hagia Sophia an enormous cathedral, by extending earlier Roman architecture.Previously, no-one had ever been able to build a dome of that size.Justinians code of Roman Law summed up and reconciled the Roman edict it was based on, which paralleled the rise of a strong Byzantine Bureaucracy. With the help of the General Belisarius, Justinian conquered new territory in Italy and Africa, with a temporary capital at Ravenna,a key artistic center.But these gains were usually short-lived, and Germanic pressure not only created new economic problems, but also lead to Justinian's death in 565AD. (Justinian) and wife (Justinian's Wife Theodora, known as the Pious Empress, and attendants)

Homework 1.2 Justinian Law Code P3 Markup+Summary

Homework 1.3: Review Questions + Summary (Pg 208)

1.Cecil and Methodius were two Byzantine missionaries who were sent to the territory now known as the Czech and Slovak Republics on behalf of Orthodox Christianity.While they may have failed, losing these areas to the new Roman Catholic sect, However, Cyril and Methodius continued into southern Russia and the Balkans, devising a writing system based on greek characters called Cyrillic.This allowed the Slavic people to develop more literature, and won the area. Also, unlike Western services, Eastern Orthodox allowed services to be held in the native language.

2. Events in the middle east caused the migration of many Jews to the East Central BOrderlands, but also, the Jews fled from the intolerance of Western Orthodox christians.Eastern European Jews, while not allowed to participate in agriculture, and largely resented by the Christian Majority, gained strength in local commerce while maintaining their own culture and traditions.

3.During the 6th and 7th centuries, Traders from Scandinavia began to work in slavic lands, moving along the western rivers of Russia. Through this route south, the Scandinavians developed a strong trade with Constantinople. The Norse (who were militarily superior to the Slavs) eventually set up governments along their trade routes, especially in the city of Kiev.A monarchy emerged, and according to legend, a man named Rurik became the first King, of what would come to be known as the Kievan Rus'.

4.Vladimir the 1st decided to make the chief religion of Russia Christianity. He organized mass baptisms, converting people through military influence. Early church leaders were brought from Byzantium, who then trained literate Russian priests.Soon, a separate Russian Orthodox Church developed, under control of the king.

5.Kievan Rus' borrowed much from Byzantine society, but they were unable to replicate major institutions like the bureaucracy or educational system. Many princes were attracted to the idea of a ruler having wide power over his subjects, and many other aspects of the Christian Orthodoxy penetrated Russian culture.Many russian churches tried to adapt Byzantine structures to the harsh conditions in Russia, however, unlike the Byzantines who wished to emulate the Ancients, Russian Church tried to suppress "pagan" rituals, like theater, music, and oral tradition.

6.The following factors lead to the decline of the Kievan Rus'.:
 * INternal discord- Rival princes squabbling over succession to the throne created regional governments.
 * Invaders from Asia- Mongol forces gradually whittled away at Russian lands
 * Decline of Byzantium- linked to decline of Kievan trade and economy

Summary- "The problem of Boundaries" pg 208

MI:It is difficult to determine distinct borders between civilizations, especially when many political groups, and cultures are involved, even moreso when the civilizations are related, and situated in Europe.
 * Political Disputes, nationalist attachment, in east central europe in recent times make this a very emotional situation.
 * If a civilization is defined as a mainstream culture, Eastern and Western borders can be divided by the Roman Catholic/ Orthodox border.
 * Patterns of trade (For example in Hungary and Poland) were separate from other European areas, and showed clear economic structural differences.
 * Politically, the divisors were Hungary and Poland, which limited the growth of large regional kingdoms.
 * Borders can also be created by military expansion, for example, Russia's absorption of Poland.(Alex)

The Byzantine empire began before the fall of Rome, when Constantine declared the Roman Empire's split and set up a new capital in Constantinople. However, the West (Rome) declined while the East began to flourish.Through trade, and attempted military conquests to take back Rome, the Byzantine empire becamecentral to the East European economy.