Caesarpapism - Secular ruler holds both political and religious authority, combining powers of Caesar and the Pope in one person or institution. Emperor has control over the state and orthodox church.

Manorialism - Land was divided into large estates called manors. The Lord owned the land and peasants worked it in exchange for protection and a place to live.

Feudalism - A system where a person was politically and socially bound to a lord by oath or contract. Vassals protected the lord’s land and serfs did the manuel labor.

Serfs - A person who was tied to the land they worked on and had to work for the Lord in exchange for protection and a place to live

Iconoclasm - A movement that called for destruction of religious icons and images in Christianity, leading to controversy and conflict over the use of icons in worship.

Justinean Code - Legal code created by Emperor Justinean comprising of Roman laws and legal principles.

Hagia Sopia - Church in modern day Istanbul built as a cathedral during the Byzantine empire known for it's impressive dome, mosaics, and unique architecture blending Byzantine, Roman, Christian, and Islamic styles.

Patriarch - Highest ranking bishop in the Eastern Orthodox church. The emperor appointed them and they helped the emperor with religious and political matters in the Byzantine empire, often providing guidance.

St. Basil - Was a 4th-century bishop and theologian who emphasized charity, service, and guidelines for religious communities. His influence extended to liturgical practices in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

St. Benedict - Was a monk who founded the Benedictine Order and established a guideline for communal living. His Rule focused on prayer, work, and community, influencing religious life in medieval Europe.

Holy Roman Empire - Was a complex of territories in central Europe that developed during the early Middle Ages and lasted until the early 19th century. It was a union of territories under the rule of an emperor, combining elements of Germanic, Roman, and Christian traditions.

Papacy - The office of the Pope, leader of the Roman Catholic church. The Pope is the spiritual head with authority over its doctrine and teachings.

Lords - Wealthy land owners who owned large estates, held political power, and often had hereditary positions.

Theme System - If you wanted land you had to provide the empire with soldiers. The higher up in the military you were you received more land.

Theodora - She ruled by Justinean’s side; she was influencial and known for her intelligence, beauty, and strong personality. She played a significant role in the political and religious affairs of the empire, enacted social and legal reforms, and supported the Monophysite faction.

Bezant - Gold coin

How did the Byzantine empire originate?

It was the Eastern half of the Roman empire following the division of the Roman empire by Diocletion in 286 CE, The capital of the Eastern Roman empire was Byzantium later renamed Constantinople by Emperor Constatine in 330CE.

Which people threatened the empire? How did the empire survive for 1,000 years?

The Sassanian Persian empire, Arab caliphates, Bulagarian empire, Slavic tribes; Selijuk Turks, Crusaders, and the Ottoman empire. The empire survived for 1,000 years due to its strategic location; strong leadership, military strength, adaptibility, efficiant burreaucuracy, and external challenges ensuring its longevity.

What are the accomplishments of Byzantium?

They created Justinean’s code, built the Hagia Sophia, created Greek fire, Orthodox Christianity, and preserved knowledge transmitted from ancient Greek and Roman knowledge, literature, and art through the Middle ages.

Why did iconoclasm take place?

In 717 Byzantines lost battle to Arabs and Emperor Leo the 3rd blamed it on icons of Christianity being displayed and believed God was angry with them because of it. From that the debate of Iconoclasm occurred ends once he dies in 741CE.

What was trade in Byzantine like?

Trade was booming; the empire served as a hub between Eastern and Western Europe traded. Byzantine merchants traded silk, spices, and gems. They did Meditterean trade so they had maritime trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia. Trade spread goods, ideas, and technologies across other areas to further Byzantine culture.

What military feats did Justinean accomplish?

He regained the Western Roman empire (Spain), recovered Italy and Sicilly, expanded more into the East, North Africa, and defended Constantinople.

What were the significant Byzantine political, social, and religious institutions?

Politically the emperor was the absolute ruler, head of the state and Orthodox church, a burreaucuracy that administered the territories, and the senate of Constantinople. Socially their was class structure, family structure, and education was important. They spoke Greek and dressed like old Rome. Religious institutions include Orthodox Christianty

What was the importance of Constatine?

He was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He created the Edict of Milan which granted religious tolerance to Christians and effectively ended the persecution of Christians in the Roman empire. He founded the capital of Constantinople in 330 CE made it the new capital of the Roman empire. In 325CE he convened the council of Nicea which addressed disputes in Christianity (specifically Holy trinity). He divides the govenrnment into civil and military. Implements the 12 tables, spies, roads, gold coins (rich), and centralized.

What led to the split between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches? How do they differ?

The Great Schism was caused by doctrinal disputes over the authority of the Pope, cultural and linguistic differences, and conflicts politically. The split occured in 1054 when the Pope and patriarch each other. They differ on Papal authority, practices, celibacy, language in worship, icongraphy, & doctrines.

What is the role of monks in the Western and Eastern Christian churches?

Monks in the Western church followed the rule of St. Benedict, emphasizing prayer, work, and study. They ran monasteries (centers of learning and mission work). Monks in the Eastern church followed the rule of St. Basil focusing on communal living and asceticism. They preserved ancient texts and contributed to Byzantine culture.

How did Christianity influence society in Byzantium and Eastern Europe?

Christianity influenced society in Byzantium and Eastern Europe by shaping laws, art, education, and social structure. It provided a unifying force, promoted literacy through religious texts, and influenced architecture with the construction of churches and monasteries.

Byzantine merchants snuck silk out of China and brought it back to Byzantium to mass produce it.

They receive rugs and carpets from Persia

Slavs traded slaves, timber, wood, fur, and honey

Constantinople had 4,388 mansions in the 500’s

Women were very patriarchal separated from men completely (separate quarters), covered from head to toe, couldn’t see males or leave house

Cyril the Monk - Spread Eastern form of religion to Russian and Serbia, orders of monasteries and following specific rules

Novella - New sections of Justinean law code

Eunichs worked in the palace with royal family they chose this lifestyle and were neuteured for it but they gained money and high status in society.

The economy had a huge surplus in glassware, textiles, leather, jewelry gold and silver

East West

Eastern Orthodox Roman Catholic

Russia, Ukraine, Greece, and Serbia Italy and Spain

Don’t put power in the Pope (considered not important) Power in the Pope he rules on what’s happening in the world

Patriarch is head & they can have facial hair & marry Pope & religious leaders don’t have facial hair and cannot marry and most remain celibat