The Crusades

Social Studies

Justinian

• Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire• Determined to regain the Roman Emprie• Justinian Code - simplifies Roman legal code.– Body of Civil Law– Basis of legal system in Europe

Byzantine Empire

• Blend of Greek, Christian and Roman.• Very Religious Society– Eastern Orthodox Church

• Emperor Chosen by God, Absolute Power.• Emperor controls the Church– Chooses the Patriarch head of the Eastern

Orthodox Church

Problems for the Byzantine

• Schism – split in the Church. Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholicism.

• Internal Struggles• Seljuk Turks (Muslims from Asia Minor) begin

to attack the kingdom– Emperor Alexius I asks Christian Europe for help.

The Crusades

• Holy war b/t Christian Europe and Muslims for control of the Holy Land.

• Pope Urban II calls on Christians to liberate Jerusalem.

• Infidels – Muslims (Non-Believers of Christianity.)

• Relics – objects considered Holy.

Effect of the Crusades

• 4 Total Crusades• Italian Cities who trade• First widespread attack on Jews, “Murders of

Christ”• Kings became stronger.