1. Unit Seven Block Four Lecture The Legacy of the Byzantine Empire
World History I
Unit Seven Block Four Lecture
The Legacy of the Byzantine Empire

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3. The Great Schism
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As the Roman Empire collapses, people in the east (Byzantine) begin to think differently than people in the west
Church leaders in Rome try to keep the church unified but it is too hard
Cultural and political differences between the east and the west weaken church unity and it finally splits in two
The split is known as the “Great Schism” or “Church Schism” of 1054 CE/AD. Now we have the Roman Catholic Church (west) and the Greek Orthodox church (east)

4. Why does the church split in two?
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Different beliefs
Differences in authority
Differences in location
Orthodox services use Greek instead of Latin
different Holy Days (Christmas (Catholic) vs. Easter (Orthodox);
use of religious images (icons) in the Orthodox Church;
celibacy (Western religious officials are celibate); and
basic religious differences regarding the workings of god
The Pope leads the Roman Church;
Patriarchs lead the Orthodox Church;
Byzantine Emperors did not accept the Pope as religious leader
Constantinople was the center of Christian orthodoxy
the Roman Catholic Church was centered in Rome

5. What are the effects of the split?
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Byzantine and Russian churches are controlled by Emperors whereas the Pope is in sole control of the Roman Catholic Church
The Orthodox Church spreads to Russia and there is a lack of contact with western culture within Russia empire and eastern Europe
The Greek language separates Byzantium from Latin speaking western countries where we find the Roman Catholic Church
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill
Pope Francis

6. Speaking of the Russians
Prince Oleg of Russia first visits Constantinople in 907 CE/AD
The Byzantine Empire influences Russian religion and culture through trade between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea
As the church moves into Russia, Saint Cyril adapts the Greek alphabet to Slavic language and creates the Cyrillic alphabet
Church Architecture changes to include “onion domes” like those on St. Basils.
Russia adopts Orthodox Christianity including religious art (mosaics, icons)
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7. The end of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire
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The Byzantine Empire declines after Justinian dies because there is no good leader to replace him. Because of this,
The Empire loses territory from 700 CE/AD forward
Costly wars further weaken the empire
Constantinople is sacked (looted) by Christian crusaders in 1204 CE/AD and retaken
The Ottoman Turks (who are Islamic) begin invading the Empire in beginning in 1329 CE/AD
Constantinople finally falls to Mehmet II (Ottoman Sultan) after being defended by joint Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian forces