Chapter 16
The Two Worlds of Christendom
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Medieval Christendom
Two halves Byzantine empire Germanic states
Inherited Christianity from Roman empire After eighth century, tensions between two halves
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Successor States to the Roman Empire, ca. 600 C.E.
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The Early Byzantine Empire
Capital: Byzantium On the Bosporus Golden Horn
Commercial, strategic value of location Constantine names capital after himself
(Constantinople), moves capital there after 330 C.E.
1453, falls to Turks, renamed Istanbul
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Caesaropapism
Power centralized in figure of emperor Christian leader cannot claim divinity, rather
divine authority Political rule Involved in religious rule as well Authority absolute
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The Byzantine Court
Etiquette reinforces authority of emperor Royal purple Prostration Mechanical devices designed to inspire awe
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Justinian (527-565 C.E.)
The “sleepless emperor” Wife Theodora as advisor Background: circus performer
Ambitious construction programs The church of Hagia Sophia
Justinian’s code: codification of Roman law
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Byzantine Conquests
Effort to reconquer much of western Roman empire from Germanic people
Unable to consolidate control of territories Abandon Rome Ravenna
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Muslim Conquests
Seventh century, Arab Muslim expansion Besieged Byzantium 674-678, 717-718 Defense made possible through use of “Greek
fire”
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Theme System
Themes (provinces) under control of generals Military administration Control from central imperial government Soldiers from peasant class, rewarded with land
grants
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The Germanic Successor States
Last Roman emperor deposed by Germanic Odoacer, 476 C.E.
Administrative apparatus still in place, but cities lose population
Germanic successor states: Visigoths Ostrogoths Lombards Franks
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The Franks
Heavy influence on European development, fifth to ninth centuries
Conversion to Christianity gains popular support Firm alliance with western Christian church
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The Carolingians
Charles “the Hammer” Martel begins Carolingian dynasty
Defeats Spanish Muslims at Battle of Tours (732) Halts Islamic advance into western Europe
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Charlemagne (r. 768-814)
Grandson of Charles Martel Centralized imperial rule Functional illiterate, but sponsored extensive
scholarship Major military achievements
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Charlemagne’s Administration
Capital at Aachen, Germany Yet constant travel throughout empire Imperial officials: missi dominici (“envoys of the
lord ruler”) Continued yearly circuit travel
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Charlemagne as Emperor
Hesitated to challenge Byzantines by taking title “emperor” Yet ruled in fact
Pope Leo III crowns him as emperor in 800 Planned in advance? Challenge to Byzantium
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The Carolingian Empire, 814 C.E.
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Louis the Pious (r. 814-840)
Son of Charlemagne Lost control of courts, local authorities Civil war erupts among three sons Empire divided in 843
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Invasions
South: Muslims East: Magyars North: Vikings Norse expansion driven by population pressure, quest
for wealth Superior seafaring technology
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The Vikings
From village of Vik, Norway (hence “Viking”) Boats with shallow drafts, capable of river travel
as well as on open seas Attacked villages, cities, monasteries from ninth
century Constantinople sacked three times
Carolingians had no navy, dependent on local defenses
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The Dissolution of the Carolingian Empire (843 C.E.) and the Invasions of Early Medieval Europe in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries
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Economy in Medieval Christendom
Byzantium – economic powerhouse Agricultural surplus Long-distance trade
Western Christendom Repeated invasions contribute to agricultural decline Tenth century, increased political stability leads to
economic recovery
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Byzantine Peasantry
Free peasantry kept Byzantium strong Supported by the theme system
Decline after eleventh century Wealthy accumulated large estates
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Manufacturing and Trade in Byzantium
Trade routes bring key technologies, e.g. silk industry
Advantage of location causes crafts and industry to expand after sixth century
Bezant becomes standard currency Tax revenues from silk route
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Manufacturing and Trade in Western Europe
Invasions and political turmoil disrupt commercial activities
Agricultural innovations Heavy plow; water mills; special horse collar
Small scale exchange; maritime trade in Mediterranean
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Norse Merchant Mariners
Commerce or plunder as convenient Link with the Islamic world for trade
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Byzantium: Urban Society
Aristocrats: palaces Artisans: apartments Working poor: communal living spaces Hippodrome Chariot races, “greens vs. blues” Politically inspired rioting
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Western Europe: Rural Society
Concept of feudalism Lords and vassals Increasingly inadequate model for describing complex
society Ad hoc arrangements in absence of strong central
authorities
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Organizing in a Decentralized Society
Local nobles take over administration from weak central government
Nominal allegiances, especially to Carolingian kings
But increasing independence
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Lords and Retainers
Formation of small private armies Incentives: land grants, income from mills, cash
payments Formation of hereditary class of military retainers Development of other functions Justice, social welfare
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Peasants’ Rights and Obligations
Obligation to provide labor, payments in kind to lord
Unable to move from land Fees charged for marrying serfs of another lord
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Population Growth in Christendom
During fifth and sixth century, population fluctuations
By eighth century, demographic recovery Political stability Productive agriculture
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Population Growth of Europe, 200-1000 C.E.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
200 400 600 800 900 1000
Millions
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Evolution of Christian Societies
Christianity main source of religious, moral, and cultural authority
Two halves disagree on doctrine, ritual, and church authority
By mid-eleventh century, two rival communities Eastern Orthodox Roman Catholic
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Pope Gregory I (590-604 C.E.)
“Gregory the Great” Asserted papal primacy Prominent theologian Sacrament of penance
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The Byzantine Church
Church and state closely aligned Byzantine emperors appoint patriarchs Treated as a department of state
Caesaropapism creates dissent in church
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Iconoclasm
Emperor Leo III (r. 717-741 C.E.) Destruction of icons after 726 C.E. Popular protest, rioting Policy abandoned 843 C.E.
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Asceticism
Hermit-like existence Celibacy Fasting Prayer
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St. Basil (329-379 C.E.) and St. Benedict (480-547 C.E.) Both established consistent rule for monasteries Poverty Chastity Obedience
St. Scholastica (482-543 C.E.) Sister of St. Benedict Adapts Benedictine Rule for convents
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Monasticism and Society
Social welfare projects Inns, orphanages, hospitals
Agents in spread of Christianity Missionaries – Christian cultural zone in western part
of Eurasian continent England Northern Germany; Scandinavia
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Influence on Slavic Cultures
Saints Cyril and Methodius Missions in Bulgaria and Moravia Create Cyrillic alphabet
Slavic lands develop orientation to Byzantium Prince Vladimir of Kiev converts
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Tensions between Eastern and Western Christianity
Ritual disputes Beards on clergy Leavened bread for Mass
Theological disputes Iconoclasm Nature of the Trinity
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Schism
Arguments over hierarchy, jurisdiction Autonomy of patriarchs, or primacy of Rome? 1054, patriarch of Constantinople and pope of
Rome excommunicate each other East: Orthodox church West: Roman Catholic
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