Chapter 16 - Byzantines

Question 1

Which of the two Roman administrative districts fell?

Answer 1

The Western Roman Empire was the one that fell. The Eastern Roman Empire suffered from foreign invasions, but it did not collapse.

Question 2

What is an autocrat?

Answer 2

An autocrat is a sole ruler who has absolute power.

Question 3

Who is Justinian?

Answer 3

Justinian was the emperor of the Byzantine empire who rebuilt and lavished Constantinople during his reign. The city reached its peak under Justinian. His armies retook many lands in North Africa an Southern Europe. However, they were unable to hold onto much of this territory and evidently gave it up because of lack of production of wealth and due to threats. This pressure came from Slavic people up north and from the Sassanid Empire, who the Byzantines have previously been fighting with.

Question 4

What was Justinian’s Code?

Answer 4

This “Body of Civil Law” was a comprehensive collection of Rome’s legal writings assembled by Justinian.

Question 5

Theodora was Justinian’s wife who served as co-ruler and later empress. What was her previous job?

Answer 5

Theodora previously worked as a striptease artist.

Question 6

What is a patriarch?

Answer 6

In Byzantines and Roman empires, patriarchs were the highest church official in a major city.

Question 7

What is iconoclasm? Who inaugurated this policy and why?

Answer 7

Iconoclasm is the destruction of (usually religious) icons. This policy was inaugurated by Emperor Leo III because he believed that the veneration (worship) of images was sinful.

Question 8

What was the Great Schism?

Answer 8

The Great Schism was the official split of the Roman Catholic and Byzantine churches.

Question 9

What is the Hagia Sophia? Who ordered its construction?

Answer 9

The Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”) was a Christian church at the time of its completion. Its construction was ordered by Justinian and is among his personal triumphs.

Question 10

What made the Byzantine empire rich and successful for so long?

Answer 10

Constantinople sat at a crossroads of land and sea routes. The city’s great wealth came from trade and its military might. Its high walls served as excellent protection.

Question 11

How many walls protected Constantinople?

Answer 11

There were 3 walls protecting the city. However, the first wall is actually 3 walls in itself, which technically makes the total 5. The walls that compose the first wall increase in height and width as they get closer to the city.

Question 12

The first of three walls protecting Constantinople was actually 3 walls in of itself. Why did these first three walls increase height and width as they got closer to the city?

Answer 12

They increased in height and width so that Constantinople soldiers would always have the high ground. With this advantage, archers could stand atop a wall and shoot arrows to the enemies below them.

Question 13

How much of the population died when a pandemic plagued Constantinople?

Answer 13

After 3 waves of this plague, 40% of the population dies. Additionally, Justinian gets sick but does not die.

Question 14

What type of military unit did the Arabs often utilize?

Answer 14

Arabs were excellent warriors that utilized light cavalry.

Question 15

How did Muhammad end up founding Islam?

Answer 15

Born in Mecca, this caravan salesman made decent money off of visitors who needed camels to travel to the Kaaba temple. At around age 40, he experienced a spiritual transformation. In his vision, the Archangel Gabriel visited him and informed him of the one true God, Allah.

Question 16

What is the Quran?

Answer 16

The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muhammad’s followers prepared written text of his exact teachings.

Question 17

Why didn’t the Byzantines and Franks fight with each other?

Answer 17

They didn’t fight because they were both Christians.

Question 18

Why did the Sassanids desire Constantinople?

Answer 18

The Sassanids desired Constantinople for its location.

Question 19

When did Constantinople fall?

Answer 19

The city fell in 1453 to the Ottoman Turks.

Question 20

Who is King Clovis?

Answer 20

King Clovis is the first Frankish king. He gained support from the people that were formally the population of the Western Roman Empire. He was a Christian.

Question 21

Who eliminated the Sassanids?

Answer 21

The Sassanids were eliminated by the Arabs. The Arabs then attempted an attack on Constantinople that was unsuccessful.

Question 22

Who united the Frankish Empire post-Charles Martel?

Answer 22

Charlemagne united the Frankish Empire. The empire now covered France and Germany.

Question 23

What is the “Seal of the Prophet”?

Answer 23

The “Seal of the Prophet” states that Muhammad is the final prophet whom Allah revealed his message to mankind. Because of this, Muhammad did not have an initial successor planned for his death.

Question 24

Why did the elites of the Kaaba temple want Muhammad dead?

Answer 24

If Muhammad converted the people in the area to his monotheistic religion of Islam, people would stop visiting the pagan Kaaba temple. This could devastate the economy.

Question 25

Why did Muhammad go to Medina? What is his trip referred to as?

Answer 25

Muhammad left to Medina after the elites of the Kaaba temple tried to kill him. His journey to Medina is referred to as the Hijra.

Question 26

Who was Muhammad’s first wife?

Answer 26

His wife was a woman named Khadijah. Muslims often refer to her as the “Mother of Believers”.

Question 27

Once Muhammad had formed a community of Muslims, (Umma) why did he wage war with Mecca?

Answer 27

Muhammad went to war with Mecca because the caravan that must pass through Mecca to get to Medina was sabotaged. Muhammad wins the war.

Question 28

What do historians consider to be the moment where the Eastern Roman Empire became the Byzantine Empire? What do archeologists consider it to be?

Answer 28

Historians say that the name changes in the mid-7th century when they downgraded from an empire to a regional power. This downgrade is due to the Arabs conquering Byzantine lands such as Syria and Palestine. Archaeologists say that the name changes when the art style changes.

Question 29

How did the Byzantines respond to the Arab attacks?

Answer 29

They responded to the attacks by decreasing the size of the empire and letting go of the west. There were also some political and social adjustments such as having cities defend themselves rather than waiting for the central government. This theme system placed a general in charge of both defense and civil administration of the city. By the mid-11th century, Syria, Armenia, and some of Southern Italy was reconquered.

Question 30

What was the most successful Germanic tribe and why?

Answer 30

The Franks were the most successful Germanic tribe. They conquered most of Gaul and were the preeminent political and military power in the west.

Question 31

Who is Charles Martel?

Answer 31

Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne, was a Frankish military leader who completely stopped Muslim expansion in Northern Europe. He did this by defeating a Muslim army in Central France in a battle known as the Battle of Tours. Charles Martel split the empire in two so both of his sons could rule as his successor.

Question 32

Who is Charlemagne?

Answer 32

Charlemagne, grandson of Charles Martel, is a Frankish king who reversed his grandfather’s decision to split the empire by unifying it again. He maintained foreign relations with Byzantine and the Abbasid caliphate (Muslim empire) who gifted him an albino elephant.

Question 33

Why was Charlemagne so often depicted on a horse?

Answer 33

He was often depicted on a horse because of how he micromanaged his empire. Thus, he was constantly traversing it on horseback.

Question 34

How did Charlemagne become Roman Emperor?

Answer 34

He became emperor when Pope Leo III crowned him on Christmas Day.

Question 35

Who succeeded Charlemagne?

Answer 35

Charlemagne was succeeded by his son, Louis the Pious. His reign was a period of serious disunity. Once again, his sons divided the empire. This time, however, they actually waged a civil war.

Question 36

What were the 3 groups that pressured the Franks?

Answer 36

The Franks were pressured by the Muslims from the south, the Magyars (expert horsemen) from the East, and the Vikings from the North which were the most feared.

Question 37

What was the Viking reasoning behind their expansion and raids?

Answer 37

They expanded because of overpopulation in their native land. They raided because they sought wealth.

Question 38

What were Viking ships like?

Answer 38

They were rugged and shallow-draft, meaning that the majority of the haul was above water. They costed less wood to make than a trireme did which meant they were economical. On top of this, they were light and easily maneuverable. These longships/dragonships were equipped with both sails and oars. The oars were for short ventures while the sails were for crossing the ocean. Unfortunately, these boats couldn’t turn well and were susceptible to cannons, especially those that the galley was equipped with.

Question 39

What landmarks did the Vikings first invade?

Answer 39

The Vikings first attacked monasteries in the 790’s.

Question 40

Where did the Vikings derive their name from?

Answer 40

The name originated from a group that raided the British Isles from the southern Norwegian town of Vik.

Question 41

How were silk worms introduced to the Byzantine empire?

Answer 41

Silk worms were introduced when Byzantine monks traveled to China and learned of the art. They smuggled the worms back by putting them in their walking sticks.

Question 42

If the Franks would have reestablished imperial authority in much of the Roman Empire they would have been similar to which group?

Answer 42

They would be similar to the Sui and Tang dynasties in China.

Question 43

Where did the Byzantine Empire get its name?

Answer 43

Byzantium a modest market town and fishing village that occupied a site of enormous strategic significance. It was designated the imperial capital by Constantine, named Constantinople “city of constantine”.

Question 44

Who was the first christian emperor?

Answer 44

Constantine was the first Christian emperor.

Question 45

Why was the color purple special?

Answer 45

It was highly restricted to anyone not associated with the ruling house.

Question 46

What is “Greek Fire”?

Answer 46

It is a weapon compound of sulphur, lime, and petroleum that would sink enemy ships.

Question 47

What are Latifundia? And how did they contribute to the decline of free peasants?

Answer 47

Latifundia are large landed estates or ranches typically worked by slaves. The free peasant’s lands were bought up by wealthy cultivators to create Latifundia, which only gave peasants a short time before they went bankrupt.

Question 48

Who was Procopius? And what did he say about monks?

Answer 48

Procopius was a Byzantine historian. He told the story of silk coming to Byzantium.

Question 49

What is Jihad? And do all muslims take it as an obligation?

Answer 49

Jihad is an additional obligation that calls on muslims to struggle and seek converts, and it also calls upon muslims to take up sword and wage war against unbelievers who threaten Islam. Not all muslims take Jihad as an additional obligation.

Question 50

What is the Sharia?

Answer 50

The Sharia is Islamic holy law that goes beyond the general obligations given by the five pillars. It emerged during the centuries after Muhammad and offered detailed guidance on proper behavior in almost every aspect of life.

Question 51

What was the Oseberg ship?

Answer 51

It was a preserved Viking ship that contained 2 female bodies intended for sacrifice.

Question 52

Why weren’t women invited to parties?

Answer 52

Women weren’t invited to parties because women were stereotyped to be extremely emotional. Alcohol was believed to have heightened this.

Question 53

Why weren’t lower class women pressured to wear veils?

Answer 53

Their farming jobs were very hot and exhausting and a veil would make them suffocate.

Question 54

[Essay] What were the differences in the economic development between the Byzantine Empire and Western Europe? Include factors influencing this development.

Answer 54

One difference is the peasants. In the Byzantine Empire, the city of Byzantium was supported by a vast class of free peasants. The theme system that was established also gave land to peasants who joined. This increased the amount of free peasants. Unfortunately, they declined in the 11th century when large estates known as latifundia emerged. In the West, peasants lived in small, dirty, and disease ridden houses. The second difference is manufacturing. The Byzantines began manufacturing silk after their monks smuggled silk worms from their visit to China. These monks hid the silk worms in their walking sticks. In the west, however, there was little in the way of manufacturing. The final difference is trade. The Byzantines traded with groups and empires from the north, south, east, and west. Western Europe linked the west with the Muslim Kingdoms as well as Norse merchants. Mediterranean trade also flourished.

Question 55

[Essay] What made the Byzantine empire rich and successful for so long? Why did it crumble?

Answer 55

Its location definitely contributed to its longevity. Constantinople, in particular, sat a crossroads of land and sea routes. They were prominent maritime traders. Secondly, Constantinople’s walls also played a role. The 1st wall actually consisted of 3 walls in of itself. These first 3 increase in height and width as they get closer to the city. These walls survived 3 Viking attacks. Finally, the Byzantine empire (but Constantinople specifically) crumbled at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. They utilized cannons to damage and wear down the Byzantine walls. Constantinople couldn’t request aid from the west due to their downsizing after the Great Schism.

Question 56

[Essay] What are some advantages and disadvantages of Viking longships? (TUDELA SUGGESTED WRITE MORE DISADVANTAGES IN CONCLUSION; VIKING LONGSHIPS DO NOT TURN WELL)

Answer 56

One advantage they possess over other ships is their speed. Their long and slender design as well as their light weight contribute to the ship’s overall ability. Additionally, these shallow-draft boats can easily make their way up rivers and are more maneuverable. A disadvantage, however, is that the Viking longship is susceptible to galley cannons. First of all, cannons easily penetrate wood and longships became obsolete upon the introduction of the galley. The galley is also unable to be mounted from the longship. Finally, the longship is economically viable. It takes less wood to construct one than a trireme. They’re also easy to maintain which means the user can obtain more value from them.

Question 57

Who did the Shia support as a successor to Abu Bakr? Abu Bakr was a close friend and successor of Muhammad.

Answer 57

The Shia wanted Ali, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad to succeed Abu Bakr.

Question 58

What is the Golden Horn?

Answer 58

The Golden Horn is a natural harbor that shares a peninsula with the city of Byzantium.