The Byzantine Empire and Feudalism

1. The Byzantine Empire and Feudalism

2. Lets Review Rome • At the height of the Roman empire, Rome encompassed the entire Mediterranean Sea • 284 CE- Emperor Diocletian divides the empire into two, maintains control of the wealthier Eastern half (Greece, Anatolia, Syria, Egypt) while the Western half (Italy, Gaul, Spain, Britain) continues to decline • Emperor Constantine moves the capital of Rome to the city of Byzantium and renames it Constantinople The Eastern part of the empire is what becomes the Byzantine Empire

3. Constantinople • Strategically located to control trade between Asia and Europe • Destination point on the Silk Road • Protected by water on three sides

4. Byzantine Empire • Byzantine Empire was the “heir to Rome” • Blended Roman, Greek, and other Mediterranean cultures • Was it’s most powerful under Justinian

5. Justinian • Was an autocrat with complete authority • Greatest accomplishments: • Hagia Sophia- Massive church built using Roman architecture techniques • Justinian’s Code- law code for the Byzantine Empire

6. Justinian’s Code of Law

7. Legacies of the Byzantine Empire • The Byzantine Empire preserved Roman (and in turn, Greek) art, architecture, and writings • Also spread many things to Russia, including Greek Orthodox Christianity (we’ll talk more about this later), the Cyrillic Alphabet, domed architecture, and Hellenistic/Greco-Roman culture.

8. Collapse of the Byzantine Empire • Internal power struggles made the empire weak • The Crusades (which we’ll get to soon) also weakened the empire • Trade shifts to Venice, and Ottoman Turks invade Constantinople, renaming it Istanbul

9. Meanwhile, in Western Europe… • As the power of Rome faded, Europe emerged • Many natural resources inEurope- lumber, rivers, minerals, access to majorwaterways • However, after Rome theculture of Europe declined • No trade • No education • Invasions • Weak governments led to wars

10. Dark Ages-vs-Medieval Age-vs-Middle Ages • Because things were so turbulent and difficult after the decline of Rome, many people looked back on this time and called it the “dark ages” • Middle ages- time between Classical Age and the Modern Era (Renaissance, Age of Discovery) • Medieval comes from the Latin term for “Middle Age” and refersto the culture that developed from a blendof Greek, Roman, Germanic, and Christiantraditions

11. Battle of Tours, 732 BCE • Before: The Muslims from the Middle East were spreading their influence across North Africa and into Europe. The predominately Christian Europeans were scared of these foreign beliefs. • During: Europeans banded together under Charles Martel to stop the advance of the Muslim forces in present day Spain • After: Europe remains Christian and develops according to the dominion of the Roman Catholic Church. VS

12. Charlemagne • Grandson of Charles Martel (Charlemagne=Charles the Great) • Spread Christianity throughout his empire • When the Pope asked him for help in suppressing a rebellion, Charlemagne marched his army to Rome. • In gratitude the Pope will crown Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans, which angers the Byzantine Emperor

13. Charlemagne’s Legacy • Education- wanted to create a “second Rome”, was determined to revive Latin Learning. Wanted to preserve the records of the nation, set up a school in the palace to educate officials. • Religion- united empire underChristianity • Government- set up a systemfor strong, efficient govern-ment. Worked closely with the Church and took utilizedthe title of Emperor.

14. Feudal System • Feudalism- a loose system of government in which land is exchanged for service • Feudal contract- the exchange of pledges between lord and vassal • Developed for protection from the constant warring of Medieval Europe (weak/decentralized governments led to violence)

15. Feudal Roles: King- granted large fiefs (estates) to Lords Lords- Exchanged parcels of land to lesser lords in return for service and loyalty Knights- horseback cavalry who fought battles for their lords Serfs- Performed the tasks to maintain the land. Farmed, repair roads, bridges and infrastructure. Bound to the land-not slaves, but notfree either System is based on birth, very difficult to move between the classes

16. Knights and Chivalry • Knights- professional class of soldier • Given land by lords for military service • Trained mounted warriors, heavily armored • Identified by a Coat of Arms and a Family Crest • Chivalry- a code of conduct for the warrior class • Bravery • Loyalty • Protect those who are weak (esp. women)

17. Manorialism • Manor- lord’s estate • Were self-sufficient- able to meet their own needs without outside assistance

18. Medieval Christianity • The most powerful force in Medieval Europe was the Roman Catholic Church. • Provided a stable force amid constant warfare and political turmoil • The Church dominated everyday life, played a role in politics, and influenced kings • Was a unifying force: bonded people together, was the center of social life too • During the Middle Ages people believed that they must suffer during life to be rewarded in the afterlife. To reach the afterlife they must receive the Sacraments (rituals). • Also had to pay a tithe (tax) to the church that equaled 1/10 of their income

19. The Roman Catholic Church • The Catholic Church was ruled by the Pope • Hierarchy within the Church: Pope, Cardinals, Arch Bishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priests • The Pope shared political power with secular rulers- kings, monarchs • The Church had the power to punish/influence kings and other individuals • Excommunication- banishment from the Church • Interdiction- denying the performance of sacraments (important religion rituals) in the kingdom  more serious because the king’s subjects would fear being doomed to eternal suffering

20. Royalty vs. Clergy • Royalty had tried to maintain the use of Lay Investiture, which means they could appoint the highest members of the Clergy. • The Church said lay people (normal people) should not have such power. • If the royals can choose the priests, they can influence the power of the church, the most powerful entity in all of Medieval Europe This form of Christianity was different than the Christianity that was taking hold in the Byzantine Empire, called Eastern or Greek Orthodox.

21. Roman Catholic vs. Greek Orthodox • Both are Christian, with the same basic beliefs:

22. The Great Schism (1054 CE) • Disagreements between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church led to a schism (split) in 1054 • Leaders of both tried to excommunicate one another • Remained distant from one another through and after the Middle Ages

23. The Crusades (1095-1291 CE) • Muslim warriors were invading the Eastern Christian Byzantine Empire • The Byzantine Emperor turned to the Pope for help, and the Pope called for a Holy War against the Muslim invaders. • Short term cause: Muslims invade Byzantine • Long term causes: Hatred of the Muslims and power struggles in the Middle East • Main Goal: To recapture the Holy Land (Palestine) where Jesus had lived and died

24. Reasons for the Crusades • Increase the power of the Church • Restore all of Christianity to the Papacy (Pope’s control) • Christians believed they would be absolved of sin if they crusaded • Nobles/Kings hoped for new land and riches in the Holy Land • Serfs/Peasants could break Feudal bonds and find freedom by crusading • Merchants profited from the Crusades Although there were between 7 and 12 Crusades in total, only the first 4 had any “success”

26. Victory and Defeat • Only the first Crusade came close to achieving its goal • 1099- Christian Crusaders capture Jerusalem, massacre all Muslim and Jewish inhabitants of the city • Created various crusader states in Palestine • Late 1100s, Seljuk Leader Saladin united most of the Muslim World under his control • Captured Jerusalem back, forbade his soldiers from killing or stealing from defeated Christians and Jews • King Richard II tried to recapture Jerusalem,but was unsuccessful • Roman Christian Crusaders end up attackingEastern Orthodox Christians in Constantinople

27. Effects of the Crusades • Short term effect- Muslims hold on to the Holy Land • Long term effects: • Hatred between Muslims and Christians • Expanded trade between Europe, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia • New technologies and ideas come to Europe from the advanced Islamic Kingdoms • Sacking of Constantinople by Crusaders weakened the Byzantine Empire • Feudalism is weakened in Europe • Kings become more powerful

28. Changes in Europe • New agricultural techniques and technology (like the iron plow) helped produce more food • New Middle Class develops- merchants, artisans, tradespeople

29. Commercial Revolution • The resurgence of trade into Western Europe led to a fundamental change in European society • New innovations in business • Guilds- trade associations of merchants and artisans • Banks develop • Insurance for businesses • Economy changes from barter to money-based

30. Changes in Government • Kings begin attempting to centralize and increase their power, using oppressive tactics and harsh methods • Nobles grow tired of this, and force King John of England to sign the Magna Carta, which had two important ideas that would shape the development of England • Nobles have rights • Even the king must obey the law

31. Art & Architecture in the Middle Ages • Most art and architecture in the Middle Ages centered around the Church and faith in God • To please God Medieval clergy and kings built large stone churches. These large churches were done in the Gothic Style . The stone is very heavy and required supports known as flying buttresses. • Inside the churches, stone sculptures and stained glass windows depicted stories from the Bible and the lives of saints

32. The Black Death • As trade increased, diseases began to spread. The worst was the Bubonic Plague, known as the Black Death

33. The Black Death