Unit 5: The Byzantines

Question 1

What were the advantages of Constantinople’s location?

Answer 1

 Protection of the eastern frontier
 Distance from Germanic invasions in the western empire
 Crossroads of trade
 Easily fortified site on a peninsula bordered by natural harbors

Question 2

What were the achievements of Emperor Justinian?

Answer 2

 Codification of Roman law (impact on European legal codes)
 Reconquest of former Roman territories
 Expansion of trade

Question 3

What were Byzantine artistic achievements?

Answer 3

 Inspiration provided by Christian religion and imperial power
 Icons (religious images)
 Mosaics in public and religious structures

Question 4

What is Hagia Sophia?

Answer 4

a domed church in Constantinople

Question 5

Which civilization influenced Byzantine culture?

Answer 5

Greek

Question 6

What language did the Byzantines speak?

Answer 6

Greek

Question 7

What religion does Christianity have its roots in?

Answer 7

Judaism

Question 8

Who did Christians believe is the messiah?

Answer 8

Jesus

Question 9

What are important beliefs and traditions of Christianity?

Answer 9

 Monotheism
 Jesus as both Son and incarnation of God
 Life after death

Question 10

How did Christianity spread?

Answer 10

 Popularity of the message
 Early martyrs inspired others
 Carried by the Apostles, including Paul, throughout the Roman Empire

Question 11

Which Roman emperor converted to Christianity first and made it legal?

Answer 11

Constantine

Question 12

After the fall of Western Rome what became the unifying force of Europe?

Answer 12

the Church

Question 13

Which form of Christianity did the Byzantines practice?

Answer 13

Eastern Orthodox

Question 14

What were the characteristics of the church in the east (Greek Orthodox)?

Answer 14

 Centered in Constantinople
 Close to the seat of power after Constantinople became capital
 Use of Greek language in the liturgy

Question 15

What were the characteristics of the church in the west (Catholic church)?

Answer 15

 Centered in Rome
 Farther from the seat of power after Constantinople became capital
 Use of Latin language in the liturgy

Question 16

What were the causes for the division between the East and Western Churches?

Answer 16

 Authority of the pope eventually accepted in the West
 Authority of the patriarch accepted in the East
 Practices such as celibacy eventually accepted in the West

Question 17

How did Byzantine culture spread to Russia?

Answer 17

Trade routes between the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea

Question 18

How did Byzantine culture influence Russia?

Answer 18

 Adoption of Orthodox Christianity by Russia and much of Eastern Europe
 Adoption of the Greek alphabet for the Slavic languages by St. Cyril (Cyrillic alphabet)
 Church architecture and religious art