Download WORLD HISTORY Byzantine and Mongol Empires Notes

WORLD HISTORY
Greer
BYZANTINE EMPIRE & MONGOL EMPIRES
APPLICABLE GEORGIA STANDARD(S):
SSWH4 The student will analyze the importance of the Byzantine and Mongol
empires between 450 CE and 1500 CE.
a. Analyze the importance of Justinian, include the influence of the Empress Theodora, Justinian’s Code, and
Justinian’s efforts to recapture the west.
b. Describe the relationship between the Roman and Byzantine Empires; include the impact Byzantium had on
Moscow and the Russian Empire, the effect of Byzantine culture on Tsar Ivan III and Kiev, and the rise of
Constantinople as a center for law, religion, and the arts.
c. Explain the Great Schism of 1054 CE.
d. Analyze the spread of the Mongol Empire; include the role of Genghis Khan in developing the empire, the
impact of the Mongols on Russia, China and the West, the development of trade, and European observations
through the writings of Marco Polo.
e. Explain the Ottoman Empire’s role in the decline of Byzantium and the capture of Constantinople in 1453
CE.
EMPEROR JUSTINIAN AND THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
New Kingdoms
 C. 500 CE – Western Roman Empire was replaced by a series of Germanic kingdoms
Justinian Reconquers Much of the Old Western Roman Empire
 Byzantine Empire was essentially Greek-speaking half of the old Roman Empire
 Germanic kings were pressured by the Byzantine emperors (old Eastern Roman Empire)
 Justinian’s retook much of the old Western Roman Empire from the hands of Germanic kings
o Rome was destroyed in the process; no longer a major urban center
Constantinople Ruled the Byzantine (Eastern) Empire
 City of Byzantium renamed Constantinople in honor of first Christian Roman emperor
 City sad astride the Bosporus Strait
o Excellent land a sea-trading routes
 Called “New Rome” by Emperor Constantine
 Lands included Greece, Asia Minor, Palestine, Syria, & Egypt
The Emperor Headed Both Church and State
 Byzantine emperors ruled as absolutes
o Unrestrained authority
o The Byzantine Church refused to acknowledge the authority of the Church of Rome
o Considered all lands formerly held by Rome to be theirs
The Christian Church Split Into Two Branches (Great Schism)
 Churches in Rome and Constantinople refused to acknowledge each other’s authority
o Pope was the head of the “Roman Catholic” church in Roman
o Patriarch was the head of the “Eastern Orthodox” church in Constantinople
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Emperor Justinian Reconquered Roman Lands
 527-565 CE – proved to be an able ruler
o Reconquered much of old Western Roman Empire (north Africa & western Mediterranean)
o Byzantine Empire was both a Greek and Christian state (Latin replaced as the official language)
Justinian’s Code of Laws
 Ordered a code of laws written, based on old Roman laws (back to time of Emperor Hadrian – approx.
400 years)
 Code of Justinian became the basis of legal systems throughout continental Europe
 Constantinople flourished as a center of culture and trade
o Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits connected Black Sea region with Mediterranean
o Numerous land and sea trade routes crossed at Constantinople
 Justinian was heavily influenced in his decision-making by his wife, Empress Theodora
o They basically ruled as a team

Byzantine Empire weakened somewhat after Justinian’s death
o Threatened from without by Huns, Persians, and eventually the Muslim armies of Muhammad
The Development of Russia (& Influence of Constantinople/Eastern Orthodox Church)
Vikings and Eastern Slavs settled into the area known as “Russia” (seeking plunder/new trade routes)
 Kiev settled by Viking leader Oleg
o Growth of Kiev attracted missionaries from Byzantine Empire
o C. 988 CE – Eastern Orthodox Christianity became the official religion of the state
o Kiev is in modern-day nation of Ukraine
GHENGIS KHAN AND THE MONGOL EMPIRE
Mongol Empire
 Pastoral people from modern-day area of Mongolia
o Loosely organized into clans
o 1206 CE - Ghengis Khan was elected their ruler
 Empire under Khans grew across Asia
o Brought much of Eurasian landmass under their control (largest empire in history)
 Overran eastern Muslim empire
 Invaded China
o Encountered gunpowder/firearms for the first time
 1230s CE – Overran Russia, Poland, and Hungary
o In-fighting caused them to turn back
o No lasting influence in Europe, but heavy influence in China
Mongol Rule in Russia
 13th century – Mongols conquered Russia; Forced Russian princes to pay the tribute
 Alexander Nevsky emerged as the most powerful Russian prince
o Defeated an invading German army in 1242
o The Khan gave him the title of “Grand Prince”
 He ruled as Tsar Ivan III
 His descendents became the princes of Moscow and eventually leaders of all Russia
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