Life in Byzantium

1. Life in Byzantium Chapter 9 (2 of 4)

2. Byzantine Military Like Romans, Byzantines recruited local soldiers, and rewarded them with land Overall, military successful in stopping invaders from getting into Europe until the 1400s

3. Byzantine Politics Byzantines had one of largest bureaucracies ever Similar political system to earlier Chinese dynasties Women had considerable influence (example Empress Theodora) Emperor was the head of the church and the state

4. The Byzantine Bureaucracy • Emperor chose regional governors to help rule (had spies to ensure loyalty) • Bureaucrats were highly educated in Greek classics • Came from all social classes (mostly aristocrats, but talented poor people could rise) • This bureaucracy was longest-lived single government ever in the Mediterranean

5. Government in Control The bureaucracy (government) was very much in control (regulated trade and food prices) Government kept food prices low so the poor in Constantinople and other cities would not get upset and riot Unfortunately, this hurt the many peasant farmers, who saw prices for crops drop and taxes rise

6. The Silk Road Constantinople Byzantines smuggled in silkworm cocoons and soon made own silk Constantinople grew b/c along Silk Road

7. Byzantines traded extensively Traded w/western Europe, Africa, Asia Also had north-south trade with Scandinavia and Russia

8. Culture – It’s All Greek To Me Secular Byzantine culture (that means culture away from the church) based on Greek culture This Greek (or Hellenistic) culture was blended with Eastern Orthodox religious culture Not a lot of cultural innovation, mostly preserved Greek culture

9. Social Gap Empire large and diverse, which led to wide gaps in social classes Church patriarch (leader) burnt biography of a saint b/c written by a peasant

10. Icon Painting • Byzantine were big on icons • Icon – artistic representations of religious figures

11. Icon Painting • Mulsims criticized Byzantines as icon worshippers • Emperor wanted to prove not true, and tried removing all icons • Big backlash from Church over this censorship, and emperor let icons stay

12. Split Growing Between East and West Europe Western Europe = Catholic Eastern Europe = Orthodox

13. Byzantines Dislike Pope’s Influence Didn’t want to lose power to the Pope; Byzantine rulers recognized the Pope, but still controlled church Byzantine (east) emperors were in charge of the church

14. Schism Happens (1054) Pope in Italy (West) sends Cardinal Humbertto Constantinople (East) and an argument ensues which results in the official split between the churches At the time of the schism (or split), eastern Europe was more advanced than western Europe, but the West soon surpassed the East See reading from class for more details Western Europe = Catholic Eastern Europe = Eastern Orthodox

15. The Great Schism of 1054 • Eastern Greek Orthodox Church • Based in Constantinople • Official language – Greek • Church led by a Patriarch referred to as a Bishop • Bishops couldn’t marry. • Priests could marry. • Scriptures were the final authority on all matters. • Emperor or political ruler was above the Bishop. • Roman Catholic Church • Based in Rome • Official language – Latin • Church led by a Pope referred to as Father. • Church leaders could not marry. • Only Pope and Bishops could interpret the scriptures. • The Pope was the Supreme head of Church - above any political ruler.