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Section 10

Section 10. The Byzantine World. Main Questions & Topics. How did Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) develop? How did Christianity become dominant religion in Eastern Roman Empire? How was Byzantine Christianity built or how did it grow?

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Section 10

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  1. Section 10 The Byzantine World

  2. Main Questions & Topics • How did Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) develop? • How did Christianity become dominant religion in Eastern Roman Empire? • How was Byzantine Christianity built or how did it grow? • How was the Byzantine Church different than the Roman one?

  3. Constantine Review • Background to Emperor • Battle of Mulvian Bridge • Constantine Cross • Quickly acquainted with early Church leaders • Constantine as Emperor • Sole Emperor of Rome • New Capital – Byzantium (Constantinople) • 313 CE Edict of Milan (toleration of ALL religions) • Hippodrome video

  4. Constantine & Christian Struggles • Divisions within Christianity: regional, doctrinal, devotional, cultural • Arian Heresy (see pg 236-237) – Is Jesus God? • threatened “schism” or division in church • Constantine just wanted them to “get along” – keep “unity” in Empire • Called for ecumenical council (worldwide council) of church leaders • 323 CE - Council of Nicaea

  5. Council of Nicaea • Arian question addressed – Jesus is God • Date of celebration of Paschal/Easter celebration set • Meletian Schism addressed (people re-entering church after lapse in faith – how does church treat this?) • Constantine DID NOT decide on books of Christian Bible – this is NOT historically accurate • Council of Trent decided on Catholic canon in 1546 • Church of England decided on its canon (Thirty-nine Articles) in 1563 • Greek Orthodox church closed its canon in 1672

  6. Union of Church & State • Council of Nicaea under Constantine • Theodosius (380 CE) – Christianity the “Official Religion” of Roman Empire • Caesaropapism (vesting of all spiritual & political authority in one person)

  7. Four Eastern Churches • Constantinople • Antioch • Jerusalem • Alexandria • Each led by a patriarch • Conflicts with Rome over their authority

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

  9. Constantinople Major trading center between east & west City and port called “The Golden Horn” because of immense wealth Link to photos of Byzantine ruins in modern day Istanbul (formerly Constantinople or Byzantium)

  10. Basilica Cistern Wall of Theodosius

  11. Early Byzantium – Challenges & Survival • Julian (361-363 CE) • Apostate – tried to revive Paganism • His rule plagued by outside invaders – Persians • Justinian & Theodora (527-565 CE) • Caesaropapist (Coronation of Emperors) • Codified law • “One God, One Empire, One Religion” • Paganism Persecuted • Nika Revolt • Building programs initiated (bridges, roads, underground reservoirs)

  12. Justinian’s Attempt to Reunite Roman Empire • Driven by religious beliefs – Rome had to be part of his united empire • But divisions too deep to overcome • Religious & political differences • Cultural: different languages • Western half = combo of Germanic & Roman (Latin) • Eastern half = Byzantine (Greek) • Failed attempts = war, drain on time, money, resources

  13. Crisis in 7th Century • Threats to Byzantine Empire • Bubonic Plague (Justinian’s Plague) – began in 540 CE • Islamic invaders – 630 CE • Material losses to empire as result of wars (see pg. 243 in textbook)

  14. Eastern Christianity: Culture & Conflict • Conflicts over best and appropriate ways to honor Christ, lead Christian life, represent or worship Christ on earth, leadership of Church • Early Christianity produced High Art/Architecture • Iconoclasm (image breaking) controversy (pg. 244 in textbook) • 1054 Great Schism in Church – divides East and West Church • Link to Interesting Examples of Byzantine Art • Note that the art is full of Christian symbolism • Most of their art centered around the State religion.

  15. Byzantine Icons • Icons seen as windows to heaven: spiritual, rather than material (similarity to San rock art?) • Dispute in 7th & 8th century Eastern Church over validity of icons: idolatry or devotion?; false or true faith? • Iconoclasm = smashing of icons

  16. Division of Church East v. West Formal division of Eastern and Western Churches in 1054 – but had been reality for centuries Eventually East and West excommunicated each other!

  17. Story of God, Part 2 Video Link

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