The Rise and Fall of the Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire post-Western collapse, 476 AD.

Diocletian

Roman Emperor who divided the empire, 284 AD.

Tetrarchy

Rule by four leaders established by Diocletian.

Edict of Milan

Legalized Christianity in 313 AD under Constantine.

Constantinople

New capital founded by Constantine in 330 AD.

Justinian

Emperor of byzantine, expanded the empire.

Nika Revolt

532 AD uprising; Justinian saved by Theodora.

Corpus of Civil Law

Justinian's organized legal code, basis for European law.

Hagia Sophia

Largest Christian church built 532-537 AD.

Byzantine Mosaics

Art form featuring wall mosaics, unlike Roman's floor mosaics.

Theodosius

Reinforced Constantinople's walls in the 5th century.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312 AD battle where Constantine defeated Maxentius.

St. Helena

Mother of Constantine, associated with Christian relics.

Ravenna

Capital of Ostrogoths, known for Byzantine mosaics.

Justinian's Code

Updated legal system, organized Roman laws.

Arian Christianity

Belief denying Christ's divinity, adopted by some barbarian states.

Greek Fire

Byzantine incendiary weapon used in naval battles.

Cultural Blend

Fusion of Greek, Roman, and Persian cultures in Byzantium.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Distinctive Christian tradition developed in the Byzantine Empire.

Theodora

Justinian's influential wife, actress, and co-ruler.

Belisarius

Justinian's general, regained territories in North Africa and Italy.

St. Peter's Basilica

Church in Rome, significant to Roman Catholicism.

Abbey of Cluny

Largest Catholic church in Western Europe.

St. Peter's Basilica

Largest church since the 17th century.

Byzantine Emperor

Influences appointment of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Five Patriarchs

Rome, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria.

Iconoclast Controversy

Dispute over worshipping images vs. icons.

Emperor Leo III

Ordered removal of icons from churches.

Pope Gregory II

Supported the use of icons in churches.

Council of Nicaea

787 AD; icons allowed, no statues.

The Great Schism

1054 split between Eastern and Western churches.

Eastern Catholic Church

No longer recognizes authority of the Pope.

Byzantine Economy

Trade hub with river networks and seaways.

Silk Industry

Developed in Constantinople for trade.

Universities

Established in 850 AD for church and government.

St. Catherine's Monastery

Founded in 527 AD, preserves knowledge.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Decorated texts preserving ancient works.

St. Simon Stylites

Lived on a pillar for 39 years.

St. Cyril and Methodius

Apostles to the Slavs, created Cyrillic alphabet.

Battle of Manzikert

1071 defeat of Byzantines by Seljuk Turks.

Siege of Constantinople

marked the fall of the Byzantine Empire.

Sultan Mahmet II

Conquered Constantinople, spared Hagia Sophia.

Church of All Saints

Oldest Saxon church in England, pre-675 AD.

Middle Ages

Period of history with declining knowledge and learning.

Barbarian Century

Period from 500-600 AD marked by invasions.

Muslim Century

Period from 600-700 AD with Islamic expansion.

Carolingian Century

Period from 700-800 AD under Carolingian rule.

Viking Century

Period from 800-900 AD with Norse explorations.

Merovingian Dynasty

Early Frankish dynasty founded by Clovis.

Clovis

First king of the Franks, converted to Catholicism.

Bishop Remi

Baptized Clovis, symbolizing Frankish conversion.

Neustria

One of the three kingdoms of the Franks.

Austrasia

Another kingdom that emerged from Clovis' division.

Burgundy

Third kingdom formed from the Frankish division.

Mayors of the Palace

Officials who governed in place of kings.

Charles Martel

Mayor known as 'The Hammer', won Battle of Tours.

Battle of Tours

732 AD battle where Martel halted Muslim advance.

Pepin the Short

Son of Martel, deposed last Merovingian king.

Donation of Pepin

Established Papal States in 754 AD.

Charlemagne

Also known as Carolus Magnus, expanded Frankish Empire.

Aachen

Capital city of Charlemagne's empire, modern location.

Carolingian Renaissance

Cultural revival during Charlemagne's reign.

Missi Dominici

Royal envoys sent to oversee local officials.

Theodulf

Bishop and abbot, known for his administrative role.

Benoit-sur-Loire

Location where a porch was added in 1040 AD.

Corvey Abbey

Established in 822 AD, significant Carolingian site.

Carolingian Renaissance

Revival of learning during Charlemagne's reign.

Alcuin of York

Benedictine monk, head of Palace school.

Latin

Official language for government and law.

Carolingian Script

Latin script with added punctuation features.

Scriptorium

Room for manuscript writing in monasteries.

Holy Roman Emperor

Title held by Charlemagne from 800 AD.

Einhard

Biographer of Charlemagne, served in Carolingian court.

Louis the Pious

Charlemagne's son, emperor from 814 AD.

Treaty of Verdun

843 AD agreement dividing Charlemagne's empire.

Vikings

Conducted hit-and-run raids across Europe.

Feudalism

Decentralized government emerging due to Viking raids.

Manorialism

Rural economy based on land and protection.

Danelaw

Region in England under Viking control.

Charles the Bald

One of Louis the Pious's sons.

Rollo (Robert)

Viking leader who settled Normandy in 911.

Peasants

Lower class, worked for local nobles' protection.

Nobility

Wealthy class including lords and bishops.

Demesne Land

Land retained by the lord for personal use.

Manor Economy

Self-sufficient economy producing all necessary goods.

Life Expectancy

Generally low for peasants during early medieval period.

Nobility

Social class comprising 3-5% of population.

Clergy

Religious leaders, 1-2% of society.

People

General populace, 90-95% of society.

Sacraments

Rituals important for spiritual life.

Parish Priests

Local priests with varied education backgrounds.

In saeculo

Latin for 'in the world', denotes secular life.

Western Monasticism

Religious life initiated by St. Benedict.

Abbey of Monte Cassino

Benedictine monastery founded in 529 AD.

Regula

Latin for 'rules' followed by monks.

St. Scholastica

Sister of St. Benedict, founded women's orders.

Ora et Labora

Latin for 'pray and work', monastic balance.

Benedictine Prayer

Monks pray seven times daily.

Vows of Monks

Commitments to poverty, chastity, obedience.

Cistercian Monastery

Founded in 1134, focused on reform.