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THE BYZANTINES
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Predominantly Greek in character, with Roman, Asian, and (eventually) Islamic influence; develops unique
character as increasingly isolated from medieval Europe
Transmitter of classical G & R culture, first to Islam then to Europe: much of what we have today would have
been lost otherwise, Renaissance in Europe impossible without them
Essentially Eastern Roman Empire, permanently split from West at death of Theodosius in 395 and Goths’
conquest of Rome in 476; capitol at Constantinople
Justinian (r. 527-565 CE): Last Latin-speaking emperor (but fluent in Greek too), rules jointly with wife Theodora
Determined to retake West: General Belisarius nearly succeeds, especially crushing Vandals in North
Africa, but withdrawn from Italy on (false) fear of conspiracy
Italian campaign nearly causes financial ruin for East, ruins Italy (would not recover until the
Renaissance 1000 years later); Italy under Byzantine control only until 568 when conquered
by Lombards (Germanic tribe from north)
Pays off Persian threat on eastern frontier but very expensive policy
Compiles first true Roman legal code, known as the Justinian Code (foundation of European law)
Major persecution of Monophysite Christians due to need for Pope’s support of Italian campaign;
these would later welcome Muslim conquerors with open arms on promise of religious
tolerance
Nika Revolt nearly topples J & T’s regime, destroys city but enables major building campaigns: Hagia
Sophia & San Vitale especially
Heraclius I (r. 610-641 CE): Saves empire from near collapse financially and territorially
Conquers Sassanid Persians, settles Huns on Danube as border mercenaries
Conquers/pushes back northern barbarians, especially Slavs
Reforms administration and military structure
Focus turns from Europe to south and east (especially with rise of Islam)
670-717 CE:
Islamic caliphate makes major inroads into Byzantine territory, especially Syria, Egypt, N. Africa
2 attempted (but failed) attempts to take Constantinople itself
Leo (r. 717-741 CE):
Empire begins to hold its own against Islam
Iconoclasm controversy and imperial vs. papal authority creates wide chasm with Western
Church; Iconoclasm abandoned in 9th century but causes lasting damage & mistrust
Ninth-Tenth Centuries CE: Islamic caliphate disintegrates under Turkish pressure, Byzantium revives & regains Asia
Minor & Syria; 1054 Roman Catholic & Orthodox Churches split permanently
1071 CE: Seljuk Turks crush Byzantine army at Battle of Manzikert, most eastern Byzantine territory lost
Alexius I Comnenus (r. 1081-1118 CE): Asks Pope for mercenary help from Christian West against Turks & offers
to reconcile the Churches, Europe responds with Crusaders in Holy War
Christian Crusaders worse than Turkish Muslims:
Establish little kingdoms in Palestine, Alexius seeks help from Turks
Fourth Crusade in 1204 sack of Constantinople itself, unbelievable
destruction and loss
Rising Western powers (esp. Italian cities) dramatically reduce Byz. trade
Daughter Anna finest historian of the Middle Ages (writes The Alexiad, best account
of Crusades from Eastern point of view)
1261 CE:
Byzantine government retakes Constantinople after 57 years of exile in Macedonia & Greece, holds on
to territory immediately surrounding city but that’s it, city itself very depopulated
1453 CE:
Ottoman Turks take city with cannon (including supposed 1200-pounder)
2000 years of Roman rule come to an end
Rus/Slavs take on title of “Third Rome” and adopt title of “Tsar” (“Caesar”)
Byzantine influence in Russia profound, especially in religion & art