Byzantium

330-1453

Ethelbert of KentMarried Christian Bertha

of the FranksConverted to Christianity

after arrival of Augustine in 597

BretwaldaProduced first vernacular

legal code in England

Seventh century Anglo-SaxonWarrior King

Based on Beowulf and the laws of Aethelberht, how would you describe Germanic society and culture?

How did the laws of Aethelberht resemble the laws of Hammurabi and the Twelve Tables?

How did they differ from those laws?

How does the Beowulf poem refer to Hrothgar, King of the Danes?

A. As the grey haired treasure giver

B. As the ring bearer

C. As the protector of the Shieldings

D. As the King of Bright-Danes

E. The home land’s guardian

How does the poem treat women?

How do the laws of Aethelberht refer to women?

Based on the poem and the laws, which of the following was not characteristic of Germanic society around 600 CE?

A. It was dominated by warriors

B. It was patriarchal and misogynist

C. It was ruled by kings

D. It was egalitarian

Laws of Aethelbertc. 600

Ordeal by Fire

Barbarian Migrations 350-500

“The Empire” c. 500 CE

Byzantium during the Reign of Justinian

Hagia Sophia

Byzantine Architecture:Hagia Sophia

Greek Fire saves Constantinople in 674 CE and 718 CE

The Isaurian Dynasty 717-802

Religious Icons

Byzantium in the 9th Century

The ByzantineGolden Age(850-1050)

a.k.a. Macedonian

Revival

The First Crusade (c. 1000) increased interaction between the West & Byzantium

The Fourth Crusade (c. 1200) divided and weakened the Byzantine Empire

Macedonian Revival

Strong leaders emerge from the Isaurian dynasty during the 9th century

Reorganized imperial administration to reflect smaller Empire The theme system Simplified legal code Intricate bureaucracy – divided power

Golden Age Characteristics

Artistic Revival icons mannerist-like art with contorted faces increased mysticism

Reorientation Increasing separation from Latin past Northeast replaces South as area of expansion Conversions

• Bulgaria• Russia

What Happened?

Imperial theology alienated elites, local populations undercut imperial prestige Tensions with the West and the South

Exploitation high taxes harsh treatment

Invasions Lombards Arabs Avars

Ecumenical Councils (325-451)

Nicaea (325) narrowing of orthodoxy Arians declared heretical

Chalcedon (451) monophysites declared heretical alienation of Palestine, Syria, and Egypt

Issues theological locus of power

Iconoclastic Controversy (717-843)

Reform of Christianity reaction to Muslim success based on Old Testament authority supported in Syria and Middle East opposed by monasteries

Isolation of “Orthodox” Christians separation with Rome deepens alienation of Middle East

Increased religious differentiation

TonsureIconsLeavened breadFilioque clause – the source of the Holy

spirit Greeks from the Father Romans from the father and the son

Relations with the West

Strained over matters of religionEast viewed West as barbarians well into

the High Middle Ages (1000-1350)East fighting a losing battle with Muslims

to the South from 600s until 1453West becomes increasingly expansionist

after 1000

Summary of Byzantium

Increasing distinction from Latin West Arab/Muslim South

Development of “Orthodox” ChristianityGeographical shifting from Mediterranean to Black

SeaGradually less urbanContinued interaction with West

trade law, theology, learning

SummaryThe Byzantines took enormous pride in their heritage

as the successors of RomeBy the seventh century they had clearly departed from

many of the ancient Roman traditions and had developed their own unique culture

A key component of the Byzantine culture emphasized stability of the polity and the majesty of the Emperors

The Fourth Crusade (1198-1203) dealt a shocking blow to Byzantine self esteem as it came under Latin rule for approximately half a century (1259)

Summary

Throughout the medieval period western Christendom developed an increasingly hostile rivalry with Orthodox Christianity to the East

The Byzantine Empire claimed to be the continuators of the Roman Empire

As a rival to western culture, Byzantium had a more literate civilizations with magnificent buildings and well established cultural and intellectual traditions that were more sophisticated than the intellectual traditions of the West

Nevertheless, with its more militaristic culture the West came to dominate Byzantium by the Fourth Crusade c. 1200

What is the religious orientation of the Geats and the Danes in Beowulf?

A. Adamantly & violently pagan

B. Adamantly & violently Christian

C. Christian but a little pagan

D. Pagan but somewhat monotheistic

E. None of the above