Unit 5: Byzantine Empire - Short Answer Possibilities Flashcards

1
Q

Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - This was by far Justinians most important achievement. Who did he commit to work on this project?

A

Justinian committed Greek and Latin scholars from 528-534 to work on the project. He codified all Roman laws and legal opinions since Hadrian.

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2
Q

Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - Why was creating this code important?

A

People throughout the empire were beginning to follow different laws, which caused obvious problems. Justinian wanted to solve these issues.

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3
Q

Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - What was the Codex?

A

Roughly 5,000 laws that were still useful in Constantinople. They were organized by topic.

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4
Q

Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - What was the Digest (Made up of 50 volumes)?

A

Quotes and summaries of the opinions of Rome’s greatest legal writers. It was made up of 50 volumes.

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5
Q

Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - What was the Institutes?

A

A textbook that explained to law students how to use the new code.

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6
Q

Corpus Juris Civilis (aka: Code of Justinian) - What was the novellae?

A

Laws made after 534.

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7
Q

Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - What language were the church services done in the West (Rome) church?

A

Latin

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8
Q

Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - Who was head of the church in the West (Rome)?

A

Pope

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9
Q

Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - Were priests allowed to marry in the West (Rome)?

A

Priests are NOT allowed to marry and they still can’t today.

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10
Q

Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - What language are the church services done in the East (Constantinople)?

A

The Language of the people (vernacular = Greek).

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11
Q

Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - Who is the leader of the East (Constantinople)?

A

The Bishop of Constantinople (Patriarch)

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12
Q

Differences Between the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) - Are priests allowed to marry in the East?

A

Priests are allowed to marry.

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13
Q

City of Constantinople - Constantine moved Rome to Constantinople for 3 reasons. What were these?

A

It was closer to hotspots of Christianity, located at an ideal place of trade, and was easily defended.

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14
Q

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?

A

To build up Constantinople to the same grandeur that Rome had held through most of its history. Constantinople fell in 1453.

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15
Q

City of Constantinople - What did the Byzantines still consider themselves to be?

A

The rightful rulers of the land that was a part of the original Roman Empire.

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16
Q

Icons vs Iconoclasts - Why were icons banned?

A

People prayed to these as if they were idols. They were seen as being against the Bible. Riots and fights broke out.

17
Q

Icons vs Iconoclasts - What were iconoclasts?

A

icon smashers

18
Q

Icons vs Iconoclasts - In Rome, the Pope sided with those who supported icons. Why?

A
  • 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.
19
Q

Icons vs Iconoclasts - What did the Pope do to Leo III?

A

The Pope excommunicated the Byzantine Emperor Leo II for his actions (on icons).

20
Q

Icons vs Iconoclasts - In the years ahead, the Byzantine Church once again accepted the icons… iconoclasts (icon smashers) were heretics!! But what still remained?

A
  • 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.
21
Q

Plague of Justinian - In the mid 500’s A.D., what happened?

A

Rats brought a plague from either India or Egypt, to Constantinople.

22
Q

Plague of Justinian - How many people a day would this plague kill at its height? What happened by 700 A.D.?

A

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.

23
Q

Decline of the Empire - This decline lasted about 400 years. What was there rebellion against? What did Constantinople face?

A

Rebellion against the central government. Constantinople faced competition from other trading centers (Venice).

24
Q

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?

A

Cannon in battle. Troops rallied by call for Jihad (Holy War)

25
Q

Nika Revolt - What were the two sides?

A

The Greens (Commoners) and the Blues (Rich).

26
Q

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?

A

They were directed at Justinian because of the taxes generated from his building projects.

27
Q

Nika Revolt - What happened to Constantinople because of this revolt? What did Justinian want to do? What did Theodora convince him to do instead?

A

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.

28
Q

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?

A
  • Emperor respected Roman heritage.
  • He claimed to have authority over:
    • political power of a Roman ruler (absolute power)
    • the new apostle Jesus.
29
Q

Emperor’s Power - What was the Emperor’s power similar to?

A

A Pope’s power. Political + Religious authority in 1 person.