Byzantine and the "Others" Flashcards
(30 cards)
Was Byzantium a multiethnic empire?
Byzantium was not truly multiethnic. Although many ethnic groups lived within its borders, Byzantine society was centered around a single dominant ethno-religious identity: the Orthodox Greek-speaking Romans
How did Byzantines view ethnic outsiders within their own empire?
Ethnic outsiders were often seen with suspicion or inferiority. Assimilation was possible, but only through complete cultural and religious transformation. Even then, former outsiders were often marked as second-tier.
What is an example of institutional xenophobia in Byzantine political thought?
Emperor Konstantinos VII advised against intermarriage with non-Romans, promoting ethnic purity. This reflected a state-level concern with maintaining a cohesive Roman ethnos.
How did the Byzantine Church reinforce ethnic boundaries?
The Church was a cultural gatekeeper—promoting Greek-language liturgy, Orthodox theology, and Roman customs. It helped assimilate outsiders, but also protected ethnic exclusivity.
How did xenophobia shape Byzantine policies?
Xenophobia shaped diplomacy, marriage policy, and internal law—Byzantines often refused to give daughters in marriage to foreigners and viewed foreign customs as dangerous or impure
How did Byzantines perceive the Latin West culturally and religiously?
Byzantines saw Western Christians as religious deviants (heretics or schismatics), culturally barbaric, and lacking proper Roman civility. The Latin use of the Filioque and papal supremacy were viewed with alarm.
What caused friction between Byzantines and Latins before 1204?
Growing religious differences, Latin military adventurism in the East, cultural misunderstandings, and competing claims to Roman legitimacy fueled tensions leading up to the Fourth Crusade.
How did the Byzantines distinguish their Roman identity from the Western “Latins”?
Byzantines claimed to be the true Romans, heirs of Constantine and Rome itself, while they considered the Latins to be apostate usurpers of the Roman name and legacy.
Did any Byzantine emperors try to reconcile with the West?
Yes. Some emperors (e.g., Michael VIII Palaiologos) pursued union with the Latin Church to gain military support. These attempts were deeply unpopular, seen as selling out to heretics.
How did Western Europeans contribute to Byzantine ethnic marginalization post-1453?
After the fall, Western narratives rebranded Byzantines as “Greeks,” not Romans, to delegitimize their imperial identity and monopolize the legacy of Rome for the Latin West.
How did Byzantines initially perceive Muslims and Islam?
Islam was seen as a Christian heresy, not a separate religion—Muslims were described as heretical Christians led astray, not pagans or infidels in the traditional sense.
How did Byzantium’s view of Islam evolve over time?
As military and political threats grew, Islam was increasingly treated as a theological and existential rival. Despite this, Muslims were often seen as more honorable than Latins after 1204.
How did Byzantine emperors engage with Islamic powers diplomatically?
Emperors often negotiated, paid tribute, or arranged truces with Muslim leaders, especially the Abbasids and later the Seljuks and Ottomans. Pragmatic coexistence often overrode ideology.
Were Muslim subjects ever assimilated into Byzantine society?
Occasionally. Some Muslim defectors or prisoners were converted and integrated, but this required full Christianization and cultural adaptation. They remained socially distinct for generations.
How did the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans reshape the Byzantine-Muslim dynamic?
The fall was portrayed in Orthodox memory as a cosmic catastrophe, but the Ottomans eventually adopted many Byzantine imperial and administrative structures, continuing the legacy in altered form.
Did Byzantines ever compare Muslims favorably to Latins?
Yes. Especially after the Fourth Crusade, Byzantines sometimes viewed Muslims (especially the Ottomans) as more honorable and consistent than the treacherous, sacrilegious Latins.
What role did Islam play in shaping Byzantine religious self-identity?
Islam served as a contrast that helped solidify Orthodox dogma—Byzantine polemical texts often refuted Islamic views to clarify their own theological boundaries.
How did the Byzantines initially respond to the rise of the First Bulgarian Empire?
The Byzantines viewed the establishment of the First Bulgarian Empire in 680 as a significant threat. Emperor Constantine IV acknowledged the new state by paying tribute and recognizing its existence, marking the beginning of a complex relationship characterized by both conflict and diplomacy.
How did the Byzantines influence the Slavic peoples in the Balkans?
The Byzantines played a pivotal role in the Christianization of the Slavs, particularly through the missionary work of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Their creation of the Glagolitic script laid the foundation for the Cyrillic alphabet, facilitating the spread of literacy and Orthodox Christianity among the Slavic populations.
What was the nature of Byzantine-Slavic relations during the 9th and 10th centuries?
Relations were multifaceted, encompassing both conflict and cooperation. While there were instances of military confrontations, such as the suppression of Slavic uprisings, there were also periods of alliance and cultural exchange, especially as Slavic states like Bulgaria and Serbia adopted Byzantine religious practices and administrative structures.
What was the role of the Khazars in Byzantine foreign policy?
The Khazars were significant allies and buffer states for Byzantium, especially during conflicts with the Sassanian Empire. The Byzantines engaged in diplomatic and trade relations with the Khazars, recognizing their strategic importance in the region.
How did the Byzantines view the Khazars religiously and culturally?
The Khazars practiced a form of Judaism, which was unique among their contemporaries. The Byzantines, while primarily Orthodox Christian, maintained pragmatic relations with the Khazars, focusing on mutual interests rather than religious differences.
How did the Arab conquests affect the Byzantine Empire?
The Arab conquests in the 7th century resulted in the loss of significant territories, including Egypt, Syria, and North Africa. This shift forced the Byzantines to adapt their military and administrative strategies to defend their remaining territories and manage relations with the new Islamic powers.
What was the nature of Byzantine-Arab relations during the 8th to 10th centuries?
Relations were characterized by both conflict and coexistence. While military engagements were common, there were also periods of trade, cultural exchange, and diplomatic negotiations. The Byzantines often viewed the Arabs as formidable adversaries but also recognized their contributions to science, medicine, and philosophy.
