Byzantines (330CE - 1453CE)

Caesarpapism

Secular ruler holding both political and religious authority, combining powers of Caesar and the Pope in one person or institution.

Manorialism

Land divided into large estates called manors, where the Lord owned the land and peasants worked in exchange for protection and housing.

Feudalism

System where individuals were bound to a lord by oath or contract, with vassals protecting the lord's land and serfs performing manual labor.

Serfs

Individuals tied to the land they worked on, obligated to work for the Lord in exchange for protection and housing.

Iconoclasm

Movement calling for the destruction of religious icons and images in Christianity, leading to controversy over their use in worship.

Justinian Code

Legal code created by Emperor Justinian, comprising Roman laws and legal principles.

Hagia Sophia

Church in modern-day Istanbul known for its impressive dome, mosaics, and unique architecture blending Byzantine, Roman, Christian, and Islamic styles.

Patriarch

Highest-ranking bishop in the Eastern Orthodox church, appointed by the emperor to assist in religious and political matters.

St. Basil

4th-century bishop emphasizing charity, service, and guidelines for religious communities, influencing liturgical practices in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

St. Benedict

Monk who founded the Benedictine Order, focusing on prayer, work, and community living, influencing religious life in medieval Europe.

Holy Roman Empire

Complex of territories in central Europe under an emperor, combining Germanic, Roman, and Christian traditions.

Papacy

Office of the Pope, leader of the Roman Catholic church with authority over doctrine and teachings.

Lords

Wealthy landowners with political power and hereditary positions.

Theme System

Land granted in exchange for providing soldiers to the empire, with higher military ranks receiving more land.

Theodora

Influential ruler alongside Justinian, known for intelligence, beauty, and strong personality, playing a significant role in political and religious affairs.

Bezant

Gold coin used in the Byzantine Empire.

Constantinople

Capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, later renamed Istanbul, serving as a hub for trade and culture.

Great Schism

Split between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in 1054 due to doctrinal disputes, cultural differences, and conflicts.

Monks

In the Western church, following St. Benedict's rule emphasizing prayer, work, and study; in the Eastern church, following St. Basil's rule focusing on communal living and asceticism.

Christianity in Byzantium

Influenced laws, art, education, and social structure, providing a unifying force and shaping society in Byzantium and Eastern Europe.