Eastern Europe:
Byzantium & Orthodox Europe
A Blend of Traditions
Chapter 9
Byzantine Empire
Political Developments
• 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)
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?