Fall of Rome Rise of the Byzantine Empire

Fall of Rome & Rise of the Byzantine Empire

Constantinople • Modern day Istanbul • Located on the Bosporus Straits • Built by Constantine the Great in the 4 th Century • First Christian city

Constantinople • Chain extended the Golden Horn to protect against invaders • Center of trade for centuries

Walls and Military • divided land into Themes or regions to recruit troops - largely ineffective and created powerful governors - invention of “Greek Fire” - petroleum based product stuck to surface and could not be put out • Frequently paid invaders for peace - military was generally weak - usually filled with mercenaries

Icons • frequent problems between differing factions in Christianity Iconoclasts vs. Iconodules Nature of Christ Divine or man Influence spread to Russia through Orthodox

Justinian’s Code • Emperor Justinian's desire that existing Roman law be collected into a simple and clear system of laws, or "code” • Saved Roman Law for today

Fall of Western Rome • Chaos in Europe • Constant warfare • Beginning of the Middle Ages: 476 -1350

Middle Ages

Vocabulary Serf/serfdom. Rural. Feudalism. Urban. Centralized. Decentralized. Bartering. Fief. Vassal. Chivalry. Investiture-

Charlemagne • Stopped Muslim advance into Europe - United much of Western Europe under his kingdom - Defeated German tribes - converted Germanic tribes to Christianity - Pope Leo proclaimed him Holy Roman Emperor - basically in charge of the Catholic Church

Vikings • Terrified Europe with their raids Explored wide areas of the Atlantic-even America! Viking ships needed very little water to float, so to get into rivers and attack deep into heart of Europe Given Normandy in France as protection from further raids

Prince John • brother of Richard the “Lion hearted” - threw people off of their land - raised taxes - abused power of king 1215 -Magna Carta - nobles united against John and attempted to limit the power of the monarchy - held democratic principles

Knights • Aristocrats – Primogeniture- first born son inherits everything Large population of knights with no land or future/ caused lots of problems

Monarchy • Generally very weak – Held limited authority over their kingdom – Nobles were frequently more powerful than the king – King controlled through ability to give out honors such as: land titles as well as through the nobilities okay.

Serfs and Manors • Serfs were the lowest class – Tied to land, much like slaves – Extremely poor – No chance to improve • Manors – Medieval town – Born and died here! – Self sufficient economy • Barter system

Feudalism

Castles • Cities became fortified since the king had limited control from raiders like the Vikings. • Nobles built them for protection and to rival the kings authority.

The Norman Invasion • English kings began to marry into French nobility from Normandy (old Viking region) • Edward the Confessor was King of England from 1042 -1066 and left no heir to his throne. • Harold Godwinson, was the most powerful noble in England easily claimed the throne.

The Norman Invasion • Upon taking the throne Harold had to fight two contenders for the throne: • Harold’s exiled brother Tostig invaded England from the north. • The Battle of Stamford Bridge – Harold defeated and killed Tostig - Victory cost Harold several thousand troops

The Norman Invasion • Harold then moved south to fight William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy • The Battle of Hastings – Infantry vs. Cavalry – William could not break Harold’s infantry formations and was losing. – William faked retreating to lure Harold’s army to chase them. – William turned and destroyed Harold’s army and became the undisputed king of England.

The Catholic Church • Only organized bureaucracy in Europe – Nations had no economy after Rome fell and little political control • Educated – Clergy could read • Europe had about 90% illiteracy rate • Collected taxes and controlled vast amounts of land

Avignon Papacy • France was becoming a powerful nation and wanted a French pope. • Forced election and moved Papacy to Avignon, France for 100 years – Destroyed credibility of Church • Italy eventually elected an Italian Pope while the French elected their own. – Attempted to move back to Rome, but mobs almost killed the Pope • To fix the problem a third Pope called the “Anti. Pope” was elected to arbitrate – In the end all three resigned and a new Pope was elected in Rome.