Eastern Europe:

A Blend of Traditions

Chapter 9

Byzantium & Orthodox Europe

Byzantine Empire

• Continuation of E. Roman Empire• Faced constant military threats

– Establishment of Constantinople– Ruled by separate emperors– Used Greek– Becomes a bridge (culture & trade) &

buffer (recurrent threat of invasion)

Political Developments

Politics – cont.

• Constantine– Role in church– Ccaesaropapism – Professional bureaucracy

• Justinian– Renewal of Constantinople– Temporary recovery of Roman lands– Systematizing Roman law

Politics – cont.

• Military organization– Tagmata– Thema

• Defense against invasion– 565-867

– 867-1025

– 1100-1453

Economy & Society

• Strategic position for trade

– Life of peasants

• Life of women– Losing rights– Yet, political influence

Cultural Achievements

• Blend of Greek & Orthodox – Greek influence on education

– Orthodox influence on icons

• Orthodoxy– Cyril & Methodius

– 1054: split with western Catholicism

E. Europe - Russia

• Birth of Russian civ– Mix of Slav & Norse

• Kiev– Conversion to Orthodox– Cyrillic– Conquered by Mongols

Question

In what ways was Byzantium a cultural and economic bridge?

In what ways was Byzantium a buffer?

What traditions blend to create Byzantium?