Download - Roman Empire Continued
Roman Empire Continued
I. Theological State
A. Ideal of one emperor and one faith working together in mutual dependence
B. Presents strengths and weaknesses for the empire
II. Challenge of the Monophysites
A. Was Christ Divine and Human?
B. Council of Chalcedon, 451
C. Divisions in the Empire 1. Monophysites vs. Chalcedonians2. Egypt, Palestine, Syria vs. Heartland
III. Glories and Agonies of Justinian and Theodora
A. Constantinople at its height1. 600,000 people2. Great walls, baths, gardens,
churches, hippodrome
3. Blues and Greens B. Justinian’s wars of expansion
1. Stress on finances and society2. Nika riots
a. Theodora saves the day
III. Glories and Agonies of Justinian and Theodora
C. Constantinople rebuilt1. Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sohia, Constantinople 537
Hagia Sophia
interior
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, 691
Church of St. Basil,
Moscow, 1561
III. Glories and Agonies of Justinian and Theodora
C. Constantinople rebuilt1. Hagia Sophia2. Corpus Juris Civilis
D. Monophysite Split unresolved
IV. Challenge of Islam
A. Romans win a hard-fought victory over Persians1. East Rome at it military height2. But opens the door to Muslim conquests
B. Muslim Empire—another theological state 1. Muhammad (570-632)
C. Monophysite split helps Muslim conquest
IV. Challenge of Islam
D. Effects of Muslim Conquests1. Reduces and eventually destroys East Roman
Empire
2. Christianity becomes a European religiona. East Romans defend Europe with dramatic
defense of Constantinople b. “Greek Fire” used for the first time, 678
V. Iconoclasm and Renewal
A. Roman vulnerability leads to theological doubts1. Icons are portraits of saints, holy men
a. convey spiritual power in private devotions2. Emperor Leo III (717-41) attacks icon worship
B. Military situation improves and icons approved 1. Council of 843 gives the OK 2. Byzantine tradition of art continues
Psalter from the 10th century
Church of St. Clement
Serbia, 13th century