Byzantine Political Problems, Iconoclast Controversy, and Great Schism Notes

Factors in the Fall of Western Rome

  • Four key factors contributed to the fall of Western Rome: Political, Economic, Military, and Outside pressure.
  • Political instability meant the government was not stable or secure.
  • Key political problems included:
    • Emperors were frequently changed.
    • Civil wars between emperors and generals weakened the empire.
    • Corruption among Roman leaders caused people to lose trust in leadership.

Byzantine Internal Political Instability

  • Main political problem: Powerful generals, government officials, and members of royal families fought to become emperor.
  • Power was not always passed peacefully, leading to rebellions, assassinations, and civil wars.
  • Consequences of political conflict:
    • Spent money fighting internal enemies that was needed to strengthen the military or repair defenses.
    • Used soldiers in civil wars who should have been defending the borders.
    • Made it difficult for emperors to respond quickly to foreign attacks.
  • Considered an internal cause of decline because the Byzantine Empire was the only one suffering from these specific internal struggles.

The Iconoclast Controversy

  • An icon is a religious image.
  • Disagreements arose among Byzantines over using or not using icons for Christian worship, causing people to become divided and icons to be destroyed, removed, or vandalized.
  • Iconoclasts:
    • Anti-icons.
    • Believed people were worshipping the image rather than the religious figure it represented.
    • Associated with Catholics.
  • Iconophiles:
    • Pro-icons.
    • Believed icons could be used to show respect to religious figures and help people understand Christianity.
    • Associated with Eastern Orthodoxy.

The Great Schism of 1054 CE

  • Before 1054, all Christians followed one unified faith.
  • Over time, Christians in the East and West developed different traditions, practices, and leadership disagreements.
  • In 1054 (1054 CE), religious tensions reached a boiling point.
  • Representatives of the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople formally broke relations in the Great Schism, dividing Christianity into two major sects.

Comparison of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy

  • Roman Catholicism (West):
    • Main City: Rome
    • Main Language: Latin
    • Church Leader: Pope (had authority over all bishops, kings, and emperors)
    • Icon Position: Anti icons
    • Religious Practices: Services were given in Latin; priests were forbidden from marrying; divorce was not allowed.
  • Eastern Orthodoxy (East):
    • Main City: Constantinople
    • Main Language: Greek or local language
    • Church Leader: Partiarch and bishops headed the church as a group (both kings and Emperor had authority over bishops and patriarch)
    • Icon Position: Pro icons
    • Religious Practices: Services were given in Greek or the local language; priests could marry; divorce was allowed under certain circumstances.
  • Shared Beliefs and Practices:
    • Based their faith on the teaching of Jesus and the Bible.
    • Used sacraments such as baptism.
    • Had religious leaders such as priests and bishops.
    • Sought to convert people.