Quiz Questions - Ch. 28, 29, and 33 Flashcards
Describe how Theodora met Justinian and became empress.
Moves from Constantinople to Egypt and joins a secret police society through a friend and meanwhile converts to Christianity, meets Justinian through job by reporting back to him, Justinian takes her back to Constantinople with him to get married but an old law prohibits state officials from marrying certain types of women, Justinian asks uncle (Justin/emperor) to nullify law but he can’t do it until his wife dies
Describe who Theodora was before meeting Justinian.
Actress/prostitute/entertainer, daughter of bear-tamer, poor, began at young age, lived in Constantinople
Describe how Justinian was able to merge secular and sacred authority.
Over church and under God made his words and laws absolute and unquestionable, based on Christianity so Roman pantheon fell
How did Justinian quell the riots of Constantinople? How did Theodora play a role in this?
J, T, and others originally hide in palace to avoid riots, try to escape by boat, T reminds J of what it was like for her to be a fugitive, he decided to go back, calls reinforcements, secretary to J makes traitors believe he is gone, army launches surprise attack, defeat them and kill many including the new emperor momentarily elected by the traitors named Hypatius.
Why is Justinian considered a successful ruler?
- Christianity (reformer)
- land (fought off occupiers of Roman land)
- builder (rebuilt city from revolts)
- ambitious (wanted to do things in the empire instead of just keep it together)
What is the Hagia Sophia?
The Church of the Holy Wisdom
-built by Anthemius on orders of Justinian after revolts that destroyed city
Why was Justinian able to recondite Italy with a relatively small force?
He convinced/hired the Lombards as mercenaries and used army. In return, gave small leadership and land to growing population
Which plague inflicted great tragedy in Asia Minor and Persia?
Bubonic Plague- black buboes (infected and swollen lymph nodes in armpits, neck, and inner thigh)
Which 2 wars did this plague stop?
War with Persia and Reconquest of Rome
How large was the Byzantine Empire at its fullest extent?
North-borders of Pannonia and Greece
East- Constantinople, Asia Minor, Syria/Palestine
West- Italy and the tip of Hispania
South- North Africa and Egypt
Who were the Lombards and how did they come to occupy Italy?
Refugees from Scandinavia settled north of Alps. Hired as mercenaries to the Byzantines to reclaim Italy in return for land and small amount of leadership. Transferred control with few battles because of plague in east and population growth in west. Few battles at Milan and central Italy lead by Alboin (king)
How did the Persians come to occupy Arabia?
570- city of Axum leads religious crusade into Arabia which was easy because very disorganized (tribes and religion), stopped by plague, then Arabia asked Persia for help to avoid 2nd invasion.
How is Christianity the religion for the promotion and advancement of women? Contrast it with secularism.
Rahab- prostitute, helped Joshua and spies, saved from destruction of Jericho, converted to Judaism - Joshua 6:25
Theodora- converts to Christianity after prostitution and poverty
Proverbs 31- submissive, educated, pure, etc.
Female politicians/celebrities
