Eastern Europe Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Basics Continuation of Eastern portion of the Roman Empire (the West fell in 476 to Germanic invasions) Ruled by caesaropapist ruler (combining secular and religious authority in one person)

Compare and Contrast: The West (Europe) v. Byzantines West = breakdown of Roman society, law, custom, language Byzantine East = retain Roman laws, customs, urban-centered life, & Greek language Both = Christian, BUT Great Schism = 1054; final division between Eastern Orthodox (led by patriarch) and Roman Catholic (led by pope) Christianity

Byzantine Achievements Capital at Constantinople = very cosmopolitan Hagia Sophia Cathedral (“Scared Wisdom”) Emperor Justinian (500s CE): “The Lawgiver” (systematically compiled Roman Law); re-conquered parts of Italy & N. Africa in Western Rome (draining the economy, unfortunately!) Art = Religious Icons Converted Russia to Orthodox Christianity

Byzantium Under Pressure Invaded by Abbasid Islamic forces in late 600’s Strong gov’t control of economy (capital enriched at expense of rural areas) Conquered in 1453 by Ottoman Turks (Central Asians converted to Islam)

Western Europe: The Middle Ages The Middle Ages: 476-1450 -Difference from Eastern Europe (Byzantine Empire) -Early Middle Ages: opposite of Byzantine Empire; Western Europe was marginalized due to the geography; division within Europe due to mountains and dense forests-made trade difficult -High Middle Ages: Social and Political change from the Early Middle Ages -Late Middle Ages: Preceded Early Modern Era/Renaissance time period. Issues such as the black death and famines led to social unrest. The Middle Ages: 476-1450

Effects of the Roman Empire’s Collapse Europe in the 500s CE Effects of the Roman Empire’s Collapse -Population reduced by over 25% -Lack of centralization in government – strong local elites took control of smaller areas - Christianity provided limited unity throughout Europe - New Germanic rulers of disunited kingdoms tried to retain some aspects of Rome (they admired it!) - Germanic people become the “dominant peoples” -Regional Kingdoms formed; Germanic people were deeply influenced by Roman culture due migration and to many serving in the Roman army -”I am a Frank by nationality, but a Roman soldier under arms” -written Roman laws, fines and penalties were used -Germanic people did not want to “erase the Roman Empire”; wanted to add a Gothic aspect -Charlemagne; example of how he wanted to create unity as the Roman Empire had (imperial bureaucracy, standardized weights/measures)

The Medieval Catholic Church Roman Catholic church filled the vacuum of the collapse of Roman Empire Monasticism: monks & nuns living together in organized communities poverty, chastity, and obedience. provided schools monasteries = inns, hospitals, refuge libraries & copying books- seen as a religious calling monks  missionaries -Roman Catholic church filled the vacuum of the collapse of Roman Empire -Hierarchal organization modeled after Roman Empire -Monasticism was formed by Benedict of Nursia: there had to be a balanced life between devotion and work while also following their obligations (poverty, chastity, obedience) -Monasteries preserved literacy: Monks saw copying manuscripts and writing books as a religious calling -Monasteries and convents planted Christianity in new areas; helped travelers, organized agricultural production on their lands, took in orphans -Christianity promised superior supernatural powers; reports of miracles dealing with healing, rainfall, fertility and battle victories -coercion used to influence spread of Christianity (Charlemagne and the Saxons)

A Medieval Monk’s Day An example of how Monks lived during the summer and winter months; demonstrates importance of balancing work and devotion

The Power of the Medieval Church church controlled 1/3 of the land in Western Europe. tithe  1/10 tax given to the church. Canon law: The Law of the Church -Both the Church and political leaders reinforced each other -controversy over who gets to make appointments: Church won; rulers have informal/symbolic role in process.. Later this would change

Pope Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800 -First in western Europe to have the title emperor in over 300 years -Symbolizes the papal authority over secular authority -Charlemagne used the church and authorities to accomplish Christianization -Europe briefly experience some unity under his rule -Charlemagne is Latin for “Charles the Great” -first in western Europe to have the title emperor in over 300 years -Symbolizes the papal authority over secular authority due to the fact that the pope granted him this authority -Major aspect of Charlemagne’s reign was Christianization; he used the church and authorities to accomplish this; wanted his subjects to be loyal and obedient to them

The Government Structure of Medieval Western Europe

Feudalism 90% -Occurs due to weakness in the centralized government A political and social system based on loyalty, land, and military service. -Occurs due to weakness in the centralized government - As central authority breaks down, people look to local leaders for protection Serf: Landless peasant who offers labor in exchange for protection Fief: A grant of land in return for a pledge to provide military service 90% -Western Europe reverted back to a self-sufficient economy that limited freedom/personal achievement for many, but nobles received many benefits of this society -This process is much more complicated than the definition lets on -Greatly differed from the city based societies in the Islamic world -Serfs worked for several different lords, therefore Kings and Lords could only command their service at certain times; serfs would give military service to specific lords at different times -During the Middle Ages approx 90% of population was considered to be serfs

The Economic System of Medieval Western Europe

Manorialism An localized economic system Needed products were made on a large land estate called a Manor Barter was common Trade was not as prominent The lord of the manor provided governance and justice, direct royal government being quite limited. The king had only few financial resources and seldom exercised legal jurisdiction at a local level. Monasteries and nunneries fell under jurisdiction of the church. Women could own land – noble women administered husband’s estates when we was away at war.

Life on the Medieval Manor Serfs at work

The Late Middle Ages -Increasing stability and security in Western Europe -Climate change (warmer!) -Population grew from 35 million people to 80 million people by 1340 -Growth of trade due to agricultural expansion -By the year 1000 there was greater security and stability -Climate warmed, which lead to greater agricultural production -Population growth from 35 million to 80 million by 1340. -Trade route in Northern Europe (England to Baltic coast); exchange of wood, beeswax, furs, rye, wheat, salt, cloth and wine -Other areas included Northern Italian towns with Islam civilizations (silks, drugs, precious stones, spices)

Changes During the Late Middle Ages Populations of cities and towns grew New sources of power (wind & water) increased production Trade picked up in the Mediterranean Groups of people organized themselves into guilds -Growth attracted new groups of people (merchants, bankers, artisans, lawyers, doctors, scholars); lead to division of labor into European society -Women were involved in weaving, brewing, milling grain, midwifery, retailing (small scale), laundering, spinning and prostitution -Water and animal powered grain mills replaced the hand grinding that had been done by women -New type of plow was created as well as efficient draft harnesses for pulling wagons -Men started to take over other profession; lead to sons as apprentices -Nunnerys offered freedom from male control for women; also the Beguins (women who lived together, practiced celibacy, etc)

Medieval Guilds Guild Halls Associations of Craftsmen controlling trades (ex: shoe makers, stained glass makers, etc.) Controlled membership apprentice  journeyman  master craftsman Controlled quality of the product & prices

The Pope can be judged by no one The Roman church has never erred and never will err till the end of time The pope alone can depose and restore bishops He alone can call general councils and authorize canon law He can depose emperors He can absolve subjects from their allegiance All princes should kiss his feet

Popes vs. Kings Relationship between the Church and State became more tense as Kings began to centralize control Pope Gregory VII vs. Henry IV of France Investiture Controversy Issues over appointments Papacy over the crown? -Pope Gregory believed that the Pope should obviously have the power of appointment -Issue with Henry IV defying his reforms; excommunicated then forgiven then deposed again; Henry IV forced the Pope to flee; died two years later   The Pope can be judged by no one The Roman church has never erred and never will err till the end of time The pope alone can depose and restore bishops He alone can call general councils and authorize canon law He can depose emperors He can absolve subjects from their allegiance All princes should kiss his feet

Magna Carta, 1215: ENGLAND English Kings had the most difficulty centralizing control “Great Charter” kings had to consult a council of advisors to tax Rights of NOBILTY

Christian Crusades 1st crusade captured Jerusalem 1099 Muslims got it back in 1187 -Very significant long term consequences: Spain Sicily, and the Baltic region were brought into Western Christendom -Christians came into contact with the Islamic world and developed a taste for the luxury goods there; created demand for Asian goods -Europeans learned how to produce sugar on plantations via slave labor; later brought to the Americas. -Crusades hardened cultural barriers between people; divide between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism deepened and is still a divide today

Pope Urban II: Preaching a Crusade -Series of “Holy Wars” with a goal to recapture the Holy Lands (E. Mediterranean) from Muslims Viewed as being done at God’s command and authorized by the Pope Results: Europe came into contact with more advanced civilizations to the East, trade picked up, more luxury goods flowed into Europe Against heresey Wanted trade routes -As Western economies grew merchants, diplomats and missionaries brought European society into more contact with distant peoples Nobels (especially younger sons who didn’t inherit land) were hungry for land wanted to increase their status Church wanted to demonstrate its political authority over western Christiandom. -When people swore a vow and offered indulgence it removed the penalties for any confessed sins, immunity from lawsuits; served as repayment of debt as well

Feudalism Structure System was not that simple: Relations between all of these people differed too much form one place to another and from on time to another to fit together in anything resembling a system. -After the Roman Empire collapsed, Europeans’ loyalties focused on the family, the manor, or the religious community; not really on the State -The king directly owned lands and administered his land to others; this trickled down due to land being granted via military service -The feudal society was constructed for one reason: security. The nobles wanted the security of maintaining control over their far-reaching kingdoms, so they were forced to delegate power to local control. The peasants wanted security from marauders and barbarians from neighboring lands. They also wanted security from invading armies