Byzantines

This is a picture of the famous Christian church, **Hagia Sophia**, from the Byzantine Empire. It was located in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. This was an achievement in not only engineering but also in architecture, it was the first time anyone had been able to build supports needed a for a dome that large.

media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Istanbul+Province%2FIstanbul,+Turkey&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.66491,86.572266&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Istanbul+Province%2FIstanbul,+Turkey&ll=41.00527,28.97696&spn=15.535901,43.286133&z=5&output=embed" width="425" height="350" Constantinople (present day Istanbul) was in a very convenient location for maritime trade, with the Black Sea above it, and the Mediterranean Sea below, making it a center of trade for the Byzantine Empire.


 * 1. Outline of the Foundation of the Byzantine Empire and Justinian's Achievements**

- Late in the 10th century, the king of Russia, Vladimir, had to decided on what major religiong to convert to, not only for his own beliefs, but for those of his people. - "A successful move to impose a new religion would bolster his authority" (194). - Ended up choosing an Orthodox Christianity, because of the neighboring Byzantine Empire. - Division between Western Europe (who was mainly Roman Catholic) and Eastern Europe (who was mainly Orthodox). - Byzantine Empire ruled territory in Balkans, northern Middle East, and eastern Mediterranean Sea. - Byzantine Empire lasted for almost a thousand years. - Capital of Empire = Constantinople (Very important city, Orthodox) - Began to create new civilizations in the Balkans and western Russia - Both Eastern and Western Europe spread northward because of the missionary appeals of the Christian religion. - Polytheism gave way to monotheism. - Struggled for political definition without being able to rival more advanced societies in Asia, North Africa, and Byzantium. - New trading activities brought northern regions into contact with major centers of trading (including Constantinople). - New civilizations based ideas and culture off of Greco-Roman past. - They both had different versions of Christianity. - The east was far more advanced than the west in politics, cultures, economics. - Began in the 4th century when capital Constantinople was set up. - They were able to repel invaders (specifically the Huns). - Constantinople was responsible for Balkan peninsula, northern Middle East, Mediterranean Coast, and North Africa. - Official Language = Greek. - Tried to conquer western territory to restore the empire to that of Rome's old empire. - He was heavily influenced by his wife = Theodora. - Addition of domes to classical styles. - Constructed a new church, **Hagia Sophia**, one of the Christian wonders of the world. - By the codification of Roman law, Justinian unified law, reduced confusion, and united and organized the empire. He also helped spread roman legal principles throughout Europe. Jurisprudence -> theory and philosophy of law. Based his law codes off of tradition and Greco-Roman. - His goal was to recapture the old Roman Empire. - General **Belisarius** expanded the Byzantine Empire to Northern Africa and Italy. - They acquired a temporary capital called Ravenna. Ravenna was a key artistic center, famous for its mosaics. - Soon the newly conquered territory was overturned by Germanic pressure in Italy and in North Africa. - Westward expansions weakened the empire as a whole. - Persian forces attacked northern Middle East and Slavic groups moved in Balkans. - Justinian was able to ward off these invaders and pushed the Persians back but they did not get all their territory back. - Wars created new tax pressures on the government and forced him to exertions.
 * Similarities of East and West Europe**
 * Differences of East and West Europe**
 * Byzantine Empire**
 * Justinian (527 - 565 C.E.)**

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There are two kinds of "obligationes;" civil and praetorian. Civil obligations are those that are recognized by the civil law. Praetorian obligations (as known as honorary) are those that a praetor has made by his own decision. There are two kinds of "actiones," which are conditio (which means certain) and actio ex stipulatu (which means uncertain). Every stipulatio is made simply, during or for a particular time, or conditionally. Also, acts may be the suject of a stipulatio; whether something shall or shall not be done, used mainly to give a penalty. One can only sell once a price for the product is agreed upon. If there is a written contract for sale, then it is not finished until "an instrument of sale has been drawn upon." A price must be fixed and certain. If there is a sale without writing, then the person is still responsible for paying for the product, not matter the circumstance.

**Byzantine Empire**

- Constantinople was a major center off trade. -developed trading network with India, Arabs, Asia, Russia, and Scandinavia. Main idea: Constantinople was a center of trade. ||
 * E || - Wars created new tax pressures of the government.
 * S || ====== - Official language of the Byzantine Empire was Greek. ======

- Merchant class didn't receive much political power.
- Enjoyed solid tax on the peasant class. - Latin was court language, but Greek was more common. || - He wanted to capture the old Roman Empire's territory. -Jurisprudence - Political system was similar to that of China. - Emperor was the head of church as well as state. He appointed church bishops and passed the religious laws. - Women were allowed to assume political positions. - Empress Theodora and Zoe had taken control of the throne. - Empress Theodora checked teh unruley nobles, and limited bureaucratic corruption. || - Persian forces attacked northern Middle East and Slavic groups moved in Balkans. - In the mid-7th century, the Byzantine Empire was threatened by Arab Muslims, the repeatedly attacked Constantinople. Because of this, the Byzantine Empire was about the half of the size of the Eastern Roman Empire. - Recaptured the capital in a major seige during 717 - 718 C.E. - Captured the island of Crete in the 9th century, giving way for the Muslims to harass trade in the Mediterranean Sea. - The Slavic Kingdom, **Bulgaria**, pressed Byzantine territory in the Balkan peninsula, however, it was sometimes solved through marriages and military success. - Emperor Basil II (slayer of the Bulgarians) used money to bride Bulgarian nobles and generals and ended up defeating them in 1014. - Traded with India, the Arabs, and east Asia, receiving exports from western Europe and Africa. - Turkish invaders attacked the eastern borders. || - Construction of the Christian church, **Hagia Sophia**. - The Eastern church acknowledged the pope as first among equals. - Eastern Orthodox priests could marry. || - Silk production expanded - Centered on the traditions of Hellenism, which was important with the education of the bureaucrats. - Richly colored religious mosaics and a tradition of **icon** paints (paintings of saints and other religious figures) || - **Greek Fire** new weapon consisting of petroleum, quicklime, and sulfur mixture in order to blow up Arab ships. - || Document #1 Part of law : Civil Law; a nation law, Common law; common between the nations, Natural law is fixed and unchangable. Main Idea: - Romans have Natural Law - Accentance of slavery - When you turn 20 you can be sold - Strict marriage laws, can't marry anyone in your family, even if they were adopted. - If father were to adopt a daughter and he already had a son, cannot marry even thought they aren't blood related.
 * P || - Justinian was emperor from 527 - 565 C.E.
 * I || - General **Belisaurus** spread the empire to Northern Africa and Italy.
 * R || - Two different types of Christianity, Western = Roman Catholic and Eastern = Orthodox.
 * I || - Temporary capital of Ravenna, key center for artistic style, known for its mosaics.
 * T || - Construction of domes

Document #2 Part of law: Property Main Idea: - Lakes are free, everyone can use them. - Religious objects don't belong to anyone. - Byzantines can capture anyone and make them slaves, but they can escape and become free again - If you build something out of someone else's materials, it becomes yours. - If you find something, its yours.

They are very concerned with their economy and wealth of the nation and keeping promises. They were very concerned with people being honest and keeping promises. They were also very concerned with following rules and keeping responsibility. Overall, the main points of the Justinian law codes were that once you make a promise, you must keep to it, and be responsible.
 * Summary:**


 * Questions on reading, pages 203 - 209**

__//Who were Cyril and Methodius? What did they accomplish?//__ Cyril and Methodius are both Orthodox missionaries sent to convert people to their version of Christianity by the Byzantine government. The two missionaries created a written script for the Slavic language, known as Cyrillic.

__//How did events in the Middle East affect the demographics of the East Central borderlands?//__ Because of the events that were taking place in the Middle East, there was an influx of Jews migrating to Europe.

__//Outline the development of the Kievan Rus//__ - Traders from Scandinavia started to trade throught the Slavic lands and western Russia, thus, trade flourished between Constantinople and Scandinavia. - Monarchy, first monarch was a man from Denmark named **Rurik**. - Major government in **Kiev**. (many established along trading routes) Also a major center of trade. - Kievan Rus' flourished until about the 12th century. - **Russian Orthodox** church eventually developed. - Kievan Prince, **Yaroslav**, issued legal codification. - Religious literature was translated from Greek to Slavic.

__//What important decision was made by Vladimir I?//__ //- He decided to convert to Christianity.//

__//What were some of the major similarities and differences between Byzantium and the Kievan Rus?//__ Similarities - Slavic people had moved into Russia and eastern Europe from Asia during the Roman Empire era. - Issued a formal law code that reduced the severity of traditional punishments. King made major appointments - Princes liked the Byzantine ceremonials to the idea that a central ruler should have wide powers. - Worship of saints. - Monogamy. - Architectural structures = domes. - Iconic paintings - Major declines

Differences - Kievan Rus' had formal culture. - Russian peasants were free farmers, but aristocratic classes existed. - **Boyars** (Russian aristocrats) had less political power - Byzantium had buruaecracy and elaborate education system.

__//What factors led to the decline of the Kievan Rus?//__ - Regional governments were set up by rival princes. - Succession to the throne caused tensions. - Threat of invaders of Asia. - The decline of the Byzantine Empire affected their wealth and trade. - Invasion of Mongols (**Tatars**) from central Asia moved through their empire and into Europe.

It is sometimes difficult to determine the borders of two neighboring civilization, especially those in Europe, because some characteristics are similar in each civilizations. If one were to divide Europe by its mainstream of culture, then eastern and western Europe divide into Orthodox territories and Roman Catholic ones, respectively. In this case, Poland, the Czech areas, Baltic states, and Hungary are Roman Catholic, while Russia, Ukraine, and southern Slavs are mostly Orthodox Christians. However, it is not as simple to divide Europe up politically. Regional kingdoms consisted of Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania, however, they were poorly organized, but these stats were limited by the aristocracies in Poland and Hungary. As Russia's empire began to expand, they acquired many parts of eastern Europe. Although, the Mongols conquered Poland and Hungary as they invaded the Russian's empire. After the post-classical era, divisions grew more distinct within eastern Europe, however since 1989, many countries acquired complete independence from Russia.
 * Summary of In Depth on page 208**

__** Chapter Summary: **__
Byzantium and Russia were both dependent on one another. Russia based the development off of the neighboring Byzantines such as their religion. Both flourished until they were invaded by Mongols. Eastern Europe took a different path than western Europe, even thought they were both Christian, eastern europe was orthodox. They also had easy trading access with Asia.