Byzantine Empire Context

Byzantine Empire Image

What is the Byzantine Empire considered in relation to Rome?

The Byzantine Empire is the successor or continuation of Rome.

What significant action did Emperor Constantine take in the 4th century?

He divided the Roman Empire and established the eastern half as his capital, renaming Byzantium to Constantinople.

Why was Constantinople's geographical position important?

It commanded control over trade routes between Europe and Asia and was protected by the sea on three sides.

What was the Hagia Sophia?

A colossal church completed in the 6th century, considered one of the most impressive structures of the Byzantine Empire.

What was the primary religious leadership structure in the Byzantine Empire?

The Emperor was seen as the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, rather than the Pope.

What was the Great Schism of 1054?

A split between the Byzantine Church and the Roman Catholic Church, resulting from differing beliefs and practices.

How did the Byzantines view themselves in relation to civilization?

They saw themselves as the protectors of civilization against barbarian hordes, including Latin Christians.

What was the Byzantine attitude towards the Franks and Crusaders?

Byzantines were dismissive of them, believing they were superior in understanding and negotiating advantageous terms.

How did the Byzantines approach military and diplomatic relations?

They employed rigorous military strategies and clever diplomacy to recover lost land and resist invasions.

What was the Byzantines' stance towards alliances with Islamic groups?

They were willing to ally with Islamic groups when it served their self-interest, often at the expense of Latin Western Crusaders.

What was a key cultural difference between the Byzantine and Western Christian practices?

Greek Orthodoxy emphasized the use of icons in worship, while the West focused more on penance for sin.

What was the population comparison between Constantinople and London during the Byzantine Empire?

Constantinople had a much larger population and was seen as a center of wealth and culture, unlike London, which had a population in the low tens of thousands.

What was the Byzantine perspective on the Roman Empire of antiquity?

They viewed themselves as the successors and protectors of the Roman Empire.