Unit 5: Byzantine Empire - Short Answer Possibilities Flashcards
Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - This was by far Justinians most important achievement. Who did he commit to work on this project?
Justinian committed Greek and Latin scholars from 528-534 to work on the project. He codified all Roman laws and legal opinions since Hadrian.
Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - Why was creating this code important?
People throughout the empire were beginning to follow different laws, which caused obvious problems. Justinian wanted to solve these issues.
Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - What was the Codex?
Roughly 5,000 laws that were still useful in Constantinople. They were organized by topic.
Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - What was the Digest (Made up of 50 volumes)?
Quotes and summaries of the opinions of Rome’s greatest legal writers. It was made up of 50 volumes.
Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - What was the Institutes?
A textbook that explained to law students how to use the new code.
Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - What was the novellae?
Laws made after 534.
Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - What language were the church services done in the West (Rome) church?
Latin
Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - Who was head of the church in the West (Rome)?
Pope
Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - Were priests allowed to marry in the West (Rome)?
Priests are NOT allowed to marry and they still can’t today.
Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - What language are the church services done in the East (Constantinople)?
The Language of the people (vernacular = Greek).
Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - Who is the leader of the East (Constantinople)?
The Bishop of Constantinople (Patriarch)
Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - Are priests allowed to marry in the East?
Priests are allowed to marry.
City of Constantinople - Constantine moved Rome to Constantinople for 3 reasons. What were these?
It was closer to hotspots of Christianity, located at an ideal place of trade, and was easily defended.
City of Constantinople - This new city was not just the eastern portion of the Roman Empire, it was the empire toward the end. What did Constantine hope to do?
To build up Constantinople to the same grandeur that Rome had held through most of its history. Constantinople fell in 1453.
City of Constantinople - What did the Byzantines still consider themselves to be?
The rightful rulers of the land that was a part of the original Roman Empire.
Icons vs Iconoclasts - Why were icons banned?
People prayed to these as if they were idols. They were seen as being against the Bible. Riots and fights broke out.
Icons vs Iconoclasts - What were iconoclasts?
icon smashers
Icons vs Iconoclasts - In Rome, the Pope sided with those who supported icons. Why?
- Pope believed icons spread the Gospel, and weren’t used to worship.
- Many people in Western portion of Empire were illiterate
- So icons served as a good teaching tool.
Icons vs Iconoclasts - What did the Pope do to Leo III?
The Pope excommunicated the Byzantine Emperor Leo II for his actions (on icons).
Icons vs Iconoclasts - In the years ahead, the Byzantine Church once again accepted the icons… iconoclasts (icon smashers) were heretics!! But what still remained?
- Strains between the Eastern and Western churches and controversy left bad feelings.
- Differences became clear as time went on & the 2 portions of the Empire remained apart.
Plague of Justinian - In the mid 500’s A.D., what happened?
Rats brought a plague from either India or Egypt, to Constantinople.
Plague of Justinian - How many people a day would this plague kill at its height? What happened by 700 A.D.?
Up to 5,000-10,00 people a day. By 700 A.D., the disease had died down, but many in the Byzantine population had perished.
Decline of the Empire - This decline lasted about 400 years. What was there rebellion against? What did Constantinople face?
Rebellion against the central government. Constantinople faced competition from other trading centers (Venice).
Decline of the Empire - Advancing armies of the Seljuk Turks (1050-1100) and the Ottoman Turks (1300-1400). What were the Ottoman Turks the first to use?
Cannon in battle. Troops rallied by call for Jihad (Holy War)
Nika Revolt - What were the two sides?
The Greens (Commoners) and the Blues (Rich).
Nika Revolt - Gathered to watch chariot races, but in 532 A.D., riotous fighting broke out. Who were these violent fights actually directed at? Why?
They were directed at Justinian because of the taxes generated from his building projects.
Nika Revolt - What happened to Constantinople because of this revolt? What did Justinian want to do? What did Theodora convince him to do instead?
During the revolt, much of Constantinople was burned and the people even gathered to name a new emperor. Justinian wanted to run, but Theodora convinced him to stay.
Emperor’s Power - The Emperor was the head of both Church and State. What did he respect? What two sources did he claim to have authority over?
- Emperor respected Roman heritage.
- He claimed to have authority over:
- political power of a Roman ruler (absolute power)
- the new apostle Jesus.
Emperor’s Power - What was the Emperor’s power similar to?
A Pope’s power. Political + Religious authority in 1 person.
