Section 10Section 10

The Byzantine The Byzantine WorldWorld

Main Questions & TopicsMain Questions & Topics

How did Eastern Roman Empire How did Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) develop?(Byzantine Empire) develop?

How did Christianity become dominant How did Christianity become dominant religion in Eastern Roman Empire?religion in Eastern Roman Empire?

How was Byzantine Christianity built or How was Byzantine Christianity built or how did it grow?how did it grow?

How was the Byzantine Church different How was the Byzantine Church different than the Roman one?than the Roman one?

Constantine ReviewConstantine ReviewBackground to EmperorBackground to Emperor– Battle of Mulvian BridgeBattle of Mulvian Bridge– Constantine CrossConstantine Cross– Quickly acquainted with early Church leadersQuickly acquainted with early Church leaders

Constantine as EmperorConstantine as Emperor– Sole Emperor of RomeSole Emperor of Rome– New Capital – Byzantium (Constantinople)New Capital – Byzantium (Constantinople)– 313 CE Edict of Milan (toleration of ALL 313 CE Edict of Milan (toleration of ALL

religions)religions)– Hippodrome video

Constantine & Christian StrugglesConstantine & Christian Struggles

Divisions within Christianity: regional, Divisions within Christianity: regional, doctrinal, devotional, culturaldoctrinal, devotional, cultural

Arian Heresy (see pg 236-237) – Is Jesus Arian Heresy (see pg 236-237) – Is Jesus God?God?– threatened “schism” or division in churchthreatened “schism” or division in church

Constantine just wanted them to “get along” Constantine just wanted them to “get along” – keep “unity” in Empire– keep “unity” in Empire

Called for ecumenical council (worldwide Called for ecumenical council (worldwide council) of church leaderscouncil) of church leaders

323 CE - Council of Nicaea323 CE - Council of Nicaea

Council of NicaeaCouncil of Nicaea

Arian question addressed – Jesus is GodArian question addressed – Jesus is God

Date of celebration of Paschal/Easter celebration setDate of celebration of Paschal/Easter celebration set

Meletian Schism addressed (people re-entering church Meletian Schism addressed (people re-entering church after lapse in faith – how does church treat this?)after lapse in faith – how does church treat this?)

Constantine DID NOT decide on books of Christian Constantine DID NOT decide on books of Christian

Bible – this is NOT historically accurateBible – this is NOT historically accurate

Council of Trent decided on Catholic canon in Council of Trent decided on Catholic canon in 15461546

Church of England decided on its canon (Thirty-Church of England decided on its canon (Thirty-nine Articles) in 1563nine Articles) in 1563

Greek Orthodox church closed its canon in 1672Greek Orthodox church closed its canon in 1672

Union of Church & StateUnion of Church & State

Council of Nicaea under ConstantineCouncil of Nicaea under Constantine

Theodosius (380 CE) – Theodosius (380 CE) –

Christianity the “OfficialChristianity the “Official

Religion” of Roman EmpireReligion” of Roman Empire

CaesaropapismCaesaropapism (vesting of (vesting of

all spiritual & political all spiritual & political

authority in one person)authority in one person)

Four Eastern ChurchesFour Eastern Churches

ConstantinopleConstantinople

AntiochAntioch

Jerusalem Jerusalem

AlexandriaAlexandria

Each led byEach led by

a patriarcha patriarch

Conflicts with Rome over their authorityConflicts with Rome over their authority

If you are interested, the following are links to a YouTube video from the History Channel – Engineering an Empire – The Byzantine Greeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yymXqXabqlsEngineering an Empire – The Byzantine Greeks Part 1/5http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg_qPhbGHxs&feature=relatedEngineering an Empire – part 2/5http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7zDYQBFv4E&feature=relatedEngineering an Empire – part 3/5http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW8zUDI27pU&feature=relatedEngineering an Empire – part 4/5http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coSr0L7K2zI&feature=relatedEngineering an Empire – part 5/5

ConstantinopleConstantinople

Link to photos of Byzantine ruins in modern day Istanbul (formerly Constantinople or Byzantium)

Major trading centerbetween east & west

City and portcalled “The Golden Horn” because of immense wealth

Basilica Cistern

Wall of Theodosius

Early Byzantium – Challenges & SurvivalEarly Byzantium – Challenges & Survival

Julian (361-363 CE)Julian (361-363 CE)– Apostate – tried to revive PaganismApostate – tried to revive Paganism– His rule plagued by outside invaders – PersiansHis rule plagued by outside invaders – Persians

Justinian & Theodora (527-565 CE)Justinian & Theodora (527-565 CE)– Caesaropapist (Coronation of Emperors)Caesaropapist (Coronation of Emperors)– Codified lawCodified law– ““One God, One Empire, One Religion”One God, One Empire, One Religion”– Paganism PersecutedPaganism Persecuted– Nika RevoltNika Revolt– Building programs initiated (bridges, roads, Building programs initiated (bridges, roads,

underground reservoirs)underground reservoirs)

Justinian’s Attempt to Justinian’s Attempt to Reunite Roman EmpireReunite Roman Empire

Driven by religious beliefs – Rome had to be Driven by religious beliefs – Rome had to be part of his united empirepart of his united empire

But divisions too deep to overcomeBut divisions too deep to overcome– Religious & political differencesReligious & political differences– Cultural: different languagesCultural: different languages– Western half = combo of Germanic & Roman Western half = combo of Germanic & Roman

(Latin)(Latin)– Eastern half = Byzantine (Greek)Eastern half = Byzantine (Greek)

Failed attempts = war, drain on time, money, Failed attempts = war, drain on time, money, resourcesresources

Crisis in 7th CenturyCrisis in 7th CenturyThreats to Byzantine EmpireThreats to Byzantine Empire

Bubonic Plague (Justinian’s Plague) – Bubonic Plague (Justinian’s Plague) – began in 540 CEbegan in 540 CE

Islamic invaders – 630 CEIslamic invaders – 630 CE

Material losses Material losses

to empire as to empire as

result of wars result of wars

(see pg. 243(see pg. 243

in textbook)in textbook)

Eastern Christianity:Eastern Christianity: Culture & Conflict Culture & Conflict

Conflicts over best and appropriate ways to honor Christ, lead Conflicts over best and appropriate ways to honor Christ, lead Christian life, represent or worship Christ on earth, leadership of Christian life, represent or worship Christ on earth, leadership of ChurchChurch

Early Christianity produced High Art/ArchitectureEarly Christianity produced High Art/Architecture

Iconoclasm (image breaking) controversy Iconoclasm (image breaking) controversy

(pg. 244 in textbook)(pg. 244 in textbook)

1054 Great Schism in Church – divides East1054 Great Schism in Church – divides East

and West Churchand West Church

Link to Interesting Examples of Byzantine ArtLink to Interesting Examples of Byzantine Art

Note that the art is full of Christian symbolismNote that the art is full of Christian symbolism

Most of their art centered around the State Most of their art centered around the State

religion.religion.

Byzantine IconsByzantine IconsIcons seen as Icons seen as windows to heaven: windows to heaven: spiritual, rather than spiritual, rather than material (similarity to material (similarity to San rock art?)San rock art?)

Dispute in 7Dispute in 7thth & 8 & 8thth century Eastern century Eastern Church over validity of Church over validity of icons: idolatry or icons: idolatry or devotion?; false or devotion?; false or true faith?true faith?

Iconoclasm = Iconoclasm = smashing of iconssmashing of icons

Division of Church East v. WestDivision of Church East v. WestEast (Constantinople)East (Constantinople) West (Rome)West (Rome)

Mystical – other wordlyMystical – other wordly PracticalPractical

Paralleled hierarchy of Paralleled hierarchy of governmentgovernment

Monasticism – imposed on Monasticism – imposed on clergyclergy

Could marryCould marry NO marriage for monks, priestsNO marriage for monks, priests

Rejected Catholic doctrine of Rejected Catholic doctrine of PurgatoryPurgatory

PurgatoryPurgatory

Permitted DivorcePermitted Divorce NO divorceNO divorce

VernacularVernacular language (people) language (people) Latin language for liturgiesLatin language for liturgies

Relied on Bible and ecumenical Relied on Bible and ecumenical council to definecouncil to define

Looked to Church (Pope) to Looked to Church (Pope) to definedefine

Evolved as a community of Evolved as a community of independent churchesindependent churches

Papal Authority (ONE church)Papal Authority (ONE church)

Eventually East and West excommunicated each other!

Formal divisionof Eastern andWestern Churchesin 1054 – but hadbeen reality forcenturies

Story of God, Part 2 Video LinkStory of God, Part 2 Video Link