chapter 16 Flashcards
the two worlds of christendom
Who built Constantinople?
Constantine
What was the name of the natural harbor that Byzantium was situated on?
the Golden Horn
What was the wealthiest and most productive region of the Roman empire?
the Mediterranean
What is caesaropapism?
A policy whereby the emperor not only ruled as secular lord but also played an active and prominent role in ecclesiastical affairs.
What color of dress/robes was reserved strictly for imperial use and forbidden to those not associated with the ruling house?
Dark, rich purple
What did subjects have to do before they approached the imperial majesty?
Prostrated themselves three times, ceremoniously kissed the imperial hands and feet, before raising matters of business
Who was Justinian?
The most important of early Byzantine emperors who was known as the “sleepless emperor” for his tireless contributions to the prosperity of the Byzantine empire. He ruled ambitiously and energetically alongside his wife Theodora.
Where was Justinian born/his upbringing?
Justinian was born into a Macedonian peasant family. With his strong-will and discipline, he worked his way up receiving an education, obtaining a position in the imperial bureaucracy, and mastering the intricacies of Byzantine finance.
What were Theodora’s upbringings?
She was the daughter of a bear keeper in the circus, she worked as a striptease artist before meeting Justinian. She later proved to be a clever and wise advisor, as well as a determined supporter of her emperor husband.
What was the name of Justinian’s most notable construction project?
the church of Hagia Sophia
What does “Hagia Sophia” mean?
“Holy Wisdom”
What features of the Hagia Sophia attracted visitors and made it such a significant feat in architecture?
Its magnificent dome (likened to the heavens encircling the earth), gold, silver, gems, and thousands of lamps that decorated and illuminated the Hagia Sophia.
What was Justinian’s contributions to civil law?
He codified (previously conflicting) Roman law into the Corpus iuris civilis (“Body of the Civil Law”), later known as Justinian’s code.
What does “corpus iuris civilis” mean?
“Body of the Civil Law”
What was Justinian’s most ambitious military effort?
His attempted to reconquer the western Roman empire from Germanic peoples and reestablish Roman authority throughout the Mediterranean basin.
What were the results of Justinian’s most ambitious military venture?
Byzantine forces hd control over Italy, Sicily, much of northwestern Africa, and southern Spain. Soon after Justinian’s death the empire didn’t have the resources to sustain long-term occupation and Byzantine forces eventually abandoned these areas.
What was significant about the city of Ravenna?
It sat on Italy’s Adriatic coast as the headquarters of Byzantine authority in the western Mediterranean. It possesses magnificent examples of Byzantine art and architecture.
As Muslim forces threatened the Byzantine empire in the north during the seventh century, what military weapon helped Byzantine forces resist their attacks?
Greek fire–a highly effective incendiary weapon
What could Greek fire supposedly do to victims/when it was used?
It could burn when floating on water, creating a hazard when deployed near wooden ships, and it was extremely difficult to extinguish, burned troops to death
What did Byzantine society organize themselves under?
the theme system
What was a “theme” under the theme system?
An imperial province
How did the theme system work?
An imperial province was under the authority of a general, who assumed responsibility for both its military defense and its civil administration. Generals’ appointment and activities were closely monitored by the emperor to prevent decentralization of power and authority.
From where did generals under the theme system recruit their armies?
from the ranks of free peasants, who received allotments of land for their military service
By the mid-eleventh century what lands did the Byzantine empire encompass?
Lands from Syria and Armenia in the east to southern Italy in the west, from the Danube River in the north to the islands of Cyprus and Crete in the south
Who was the Germanic general who deposed the last of the western Roman emperors?
Odoacer
As the Roman empire declined, Germanic kingdoms emerged as successor states. What are some of these peoples that occupied imperial provinces?
Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Lombards, Franks, and more
How did the Franks become the most successful and influential of the Germanic peoples?
- conquered most of Roman Gaul and emerged preeminent military and political power in western Europe
- Abandoned their inherited polytheistic religion and converted to Christianity, gaining support from former Roman empire and pope
Who were the Carolingians?
An aristocratic clan that dramatically extended Frankish power in the eighth century.
Which of the Germanic peoples are the Carolingians associated with?
the Franks
Where does the Carolingian dynasty get its name from?
Its founder, Charles Martel (“Charles the Hammer”)
How did Charles Martel obtain his military prowess/what battle did he solidify his reputation?
In 732 at the battle of Tours (in central France) he turned back a Muslim army from venturing further north into recently conquered Spain. He persuaded Muslim rulers of Spain that it was not worthwhile for them to seek further conquests in western Europe.
When did the Frankish realm reach its high point?
During the reign of Charlemagne
How are Charles Martel and Charlemagne related?
Charlemagne is Charles Martel’s grandson
What king is Charlemagne similar to in the way that he ruled his vast empire?
King Harsha in India
Name some things Charlemagne was known for.
- Reestablishing centralized imperial rule
True or false: Charlemagne was literate and encouraged the development of schools and work of scholars throughout the Carolingian empire.
False; Charlemagne was barely literate, but he was intelligent. He spoke Latin and understood some Greek.
What was the name of the albino elephant that accompanied Charlemagne on many of his travels?
Abu-al-Abbas (after the Abbasid caliph, and symbolized the relations between the Carolingian and Abbasid empires)
For how many years did Charlemagne campaign to impose rule on the Saxons of northern Germany and repress their rebellions?
32 years
Where did Charlemagne build an imperial court and capital?
Aachen (in modern Germany)
