Byzantine Empire and Early Russia

Flashcards covering the Byzantine Empire, Justinian and Theodora, early Russian history, the development of the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Great Schism of 1054 based on lecture notes.

Where was Constantinople built, and what did historians name the empire that grew from it?

Constantinople was built at Byzantium, a Greek city, and historians named the empire the Byzantine Empire.

What body of water was Constantinople located on, and which two seas did it connect?

It was located on the Bosporus Strait, connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

How was Constantinople defended on its land side?

It was protected by two walls and a moat.

What secret weapon did Byzantine ships use against their enemies?

Greek fire, which was a chemical mixture thrown in clay hand grenades or shot from ships that would burn heavily even in water.

How many invaders were able to successfully capture Constantinople throughout its history?

Only two invaders were able to capture the city.

During what years did Emperor Justinian rule the Byzantine Empire?

He ruled from 527 to 565 C.E.

What role did Empress Theodora play during the Nika Revolt?

She convinced Justinian to stay and fight instead of fleeing when an angry mob threatened his power, allowing him to defeat the revolt and increase his power.

What were two major legacies of Emperor Justinian's reign?

The construction of the Hagia Sophia church and the creation of Justinian's Code.

What was Justinian's Code and when was it published?

It was an organized system of law compiled from local laws, imperial decrees, and judges' decisions, published in 529.

What does 'Hagia Sophia' mean in Greek?

It means 'Holy Wisdom'.

On Byzantine coins, what did the orb and the scepter symbolize?

The orb symbolized rule under the authority of God, and the scepter indicated royal power.

Which invaders captured Constantinople during the 4th Crusade and ruled it for 50 years?

Crusaders (knights).

In what year did Constantinople fall to the Turkish Ottoman Empire, and what was the city renamed?

Constantinople fell in 1453 after a 2-month siege and was renamed Istanbul.

Who settled the city of Kyiv in Kyivan Rus?

The Rus, who were Vikings from northern Europe.

How long did the Mongols rule Russia after invading in the 13th century?

They ruled for 240 years.

Who was Ivan the Great (Ivan III), and what did he accomplish between 1462 and 1505?

He unified much of Russia, held absolute power, limited the power of landowning nobles (boyars), married the niece of a Byzantine emperor, and took the title czar.

What cathedral did Ivan the Terrible have constructed, and what did he do to the architects afterward?

He had St. Basil's Cathedral built in Moscow and had the architects blinded so they could never design anything as beautiful again.

Who were Cyril and Methodius, and what was their major contribution?

They were Eastern Orthodox missionaries who created the Cyrillic alphabet (based on the Greek alphabet) to convert Slavs to Christianity.

What was decided at the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. regarding Jesus?

A council of bishops agreed on the Nicene Creed, declaring that Jesus was both man and divine.

What does the Latin word 'Filioque' mean, and how did it contribute to the split in the Christian Church?

It means 'and the Son'. The Western Church added it to the Nicene Creed to state the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, but the Eastern Church rejected the change, making it a primary cause of the 1054 split.

In what year did the Great Schism occur?

In 1054.

What were the main differences between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church regarding language, leadership, main holy days, and clergy marriage?

Roman Catholic: Latin services, Pope as head/highest official, Christmas as main holy day, priests cannot marry. Eastern Orthodox: Greek services, Byzantine Emperor as head, patriarchs equal in authority, Easter as main holy day, priests can marry.

Which two specific images are highlighted as required knowledge for the assessment?

Justinian's Mosaic and the Icon of St. Michael.