The Byzantine Empire

Byzantium ca. 1000

OverviewControlled important territory in the Balkans, the northern middle east, and the eastern MediterraneanPolitical heir to Rome but with own geography and focusEmpire lasted 1,000 years between Rome’s collapse and the final overthrow of the regime by Turkish invadersConstantinople was a great city of the worldOrthodox Christian churches spreadExpanded a major civilization to part of the world not controlled by one- western Russia (current Ukraine and Belarus)Huge impact on RussiaCrucial to understand the similarities and differences of the two Christian churches

Origins of the EmpireIn some senses began in 4th century when Romans (Constantine) set up eastern capital in Constantinople (built on modest town called Byzantium) and separate rulers ruled this portion of the empire Latin was language for centuries until Justinian changed it to Greek, which enabled scholars to read ancient Greek textsBenefited from high levels of commerce (new “blood” in bureaucratic positions)Successfully warded off invasions by Sasanian Empire in Persia and the Huns

Justinian’s Achievements

533 CE tried to conquer the west again (heavily influenced by his wife Theodora)

Contributions lay in rebuilding Constantinople - Hagia Sophia; codification of Roman law; and short-term military conquest (Belisarius made gains in North Africa and Italy but soon were lost)

Westward ambitions ultimately weaken empire. Wars cost money- so , increased taxes

Arab Pressure and the Empire’s Defenses

Justinian’s successors concentrated on defending the eastern empireMid 7th-century Arab’s challenging Byzantine naval supremacy and repeatedly attack Constantinople717-718 CE attack on the capital beaten back because of a new weapon, Greek fire (petroleum, quicklime, and sulfur mixture), that devastated Arab shipsAgain, money needed for defense, so more taxes. This ultimately weakened the rural population and forced them to greater dependenceMuslims conquer Crete in 9th century, which allows them to harass Byzantine shipping in the MediterraneanBulgaria also pressed down on Balkans but ultimately gets defeated and joins part of the empire in Constantinople

Society and GovernmentSimilarities to early patterns in China- emperor ordained by god- Mandate of Heaven; At key points women held imperial throne- Empress Theodora (981-1056)Very elaborate bureaucracyBureaucrats could be recruited from all classes of society, so aristocrats dominated but talent came from elsewhere as well (china sim.)Specialization of bureaucratsElaborate system of spiesCareful military organization

Economy

Economically dependent on Constantinople’s hold over countryside. Peasant class provided goods and bulk of tax revenues and food prices were kept artificially low to keep them contentHad luxury goodsMerchant class had little political power

Icons and Iconoclasm

Culturally depended on secular traditions of Hellenism

Icon painting- paintings of saints and other religious figures, often richly ornamented

Iconoclasm- breaking of images

Split Between East and WestGeneral orientation towards Asia and Eastern EuropeTranslation of the Greek Bible into LatinAttempt for the Pope to gain control (incl. intervening in icon dispute)Religious art differentAll these reasons above helped divide it but not permanently separate it1054- church patriarch in Constantinople raised old issues leading the Pope to excommunicate him and his followers. In turn, the patriarch excommunicated all Roman Catholics

The Empire’s DeclineAfter the split long period of declineTurkish invaders (who had converted to Islam in Central Asia) put pressure on, 11th century Seljuks seized almost all the Asiatic provinces- cutting off important tax revenues and food supply. 1071- Byzantine emperor lost battle of Mazikert Creation of new independent Slavic kingdoms, such as Serbia, showed the empire’s diminished powerAsked for West’s help but was denied. Actually, helped Crusaders to go in1453 Turks seize Constantinople and by 1461 most of the remaining pockets of Byzantine control

Effects of the Fall

Byzantine had been an important and durable empire and an anchor in the Mediterranean amid surge of IslamTrading contacts and ability to preserve and spread classical and Christian learning made it a vital unitAfter fall influence affected other societies inc. Ottoman empire