Chapter 10 Flashcards
Roman Catholic Church of West established independence from political authorities k
The Eastern Orthodox Church did not
Christianity provided common ground for post classical societies in western Eurasia
Yes
Western church was more _______ than Byzantium
Rural
Western Europe was a hybrid civilization
Classical, Germanic, Celtic…
Only 1/3 of all Christians lived in Europe
- many distinct forms of Christianity in other regions
- many branches survived through out Afro-Eurasia, others were eliminated by spread of alternative religion
Christendom deeply divided the Byzantine empire and western
- byz continued roman imperial traditions
- western tried to maintain links to the classical world
- roman imperial order disintegrated in the west
Christendom _____________ in Asia & Africa
Contracted
The rise of Islam accounted for the contraction of Christianity in Africa and Asia
Asian Christianity
- after Muhammad’s death, few Christian groups remained
- Jewish and Christian communities felt the impact of Islam
- much depended on attitudes of Muslim leaders
- – churches were destroyed; Christians forced to wear certain clothing
Asian Christianity: Syria and Persia
- Arab conquest & warefare ppl turned to Islam
- Christian leaders negotiated with Muslims
- right to practice religion if special tax was paid
Nestorian churches survived Islam assault
In Persia, Iraq, Syria..
Church took root in china
The mongol conquest on Asia…
Was the renewal for Christianity
–welcomed new religions most mongols became christen
African Christianity
- African christen found themselves on decline bc of the expanding Islam
- Coptic church– ppl practiced as dhimmis (practice religion pay special tax)
Christian crusaders and mongol invaders threatened Egypt
- Many Egyptians converted to Islam and moved toward Arabic rather than Coptic (soon died out)
New center of Christianity was taking shape in Africa
- Several new kingdoms in Nubia & South Egypt
- faith introduced by Muslim traders& missionaries
- bible translated
- kings served as priests & Christian bishops
- Nubian armies defeated Arabs
Soon Nubian Christianity disappeared
Exception to contractions: Ethiopia
- Rulers of Axum adopted Christianity
- became Christian island in Muslim seas
- protected by mountains
- at a distance form others places
- underground churches
Byzantine Christendom (building on roman past)
- Contraction of Asia & Africa left Europe and Anatolia as centers of Christendom
- Expansion of Islam & Arab – Spain under Muslim control