Rise+of+the+Byzantine+Empire+Research+Notes

by Gavin Mast

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Climate and Geographic Factors Events and Leaders Socio-Political Structure Transportation and Weaponry Agriculture and Economy Art, Literature and Music Works Cited Image Citations
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**__Climate and Geographic Factors__** (top) -Empire was centered around modern day Turkey and contained other Mediterranean countries and parts of Asia Minor (Sherrard, 32)([|Grolier]) -Capital city of Constantinople located at vital area that connected Europe to Asia (Norwich, 3)([|Wikipedia]) -Had an excellent port in the Golden Horn (Sherrard, 33)(Norwich, 3) -The vital location of the capital meant that it became a large and important trade route helping with the wealth of the empire ([|Wikipedia]) -Dry, warm summers ([|Climate])([|Istanbul]) -Cool, wet winters ([|Climate])([|Istanbul]) -Rainfall was a common occurrence throughout the year, though more in winter ([|Climate]) -Some snow in winter ([|Climate])([|Istanbul]) -Constantinople and surrounding areas experienced common and severe earthquakes (Treadgold, 78, 106, 212-213) -Close proximity to water for large portions of the empire with the Mediterranean Sea ([|Grolier])(Sherrard, 32-33)

**__Events and Leaders__** (top) -Constantine I (or Constantine the Great), ruled from 306-337 AD, considered first Byzantine Empire, he moved capital to Constantinople in 330 (Norwich, 3)([|Grolier])(Treadgold, 18-21) -Constantine also played an important role in Christianity becoming the official religion of the Byzantine Empire ([|Stathakopoulos]) -He was the first Christian Roman emperor (Treadgold, 19)(Norwich, 8) -He restored rights of Christians in the Roman empire (Treadgold, 19)([|Church]) -Justinian I (527-565 AD), Byzantine emperor who oversaw a large regain of former imperial territories, including Rome and Northern Africa (his reign saw the empire at its territorial height) (Rosser, 224-225) -Justinian I also created numerous laws, many of which still effect modern law ([|Hooker])(Rosser, 225) -Justinian’s re-conquests came to an end when a massive bubonic plague spread through the empire (Treadgold, 62-63) -Justinian’s re-conquests were relatively short lived, with many areas captured soon after his death (Norwich, 82-84)([|Grolier]) -During Justinian’s reign, the capital and core cities were endangered by barbarian hordes from the North, and he overstretched his forces and empire ([|Hooker])(Norwich, 82-84)([|Grolier]) -After Justinian’s death, the empire lost much territory, and was faced with attacks from Arab forces ([|Hooker]) -The empire falls into a decline until the Macedonian dynasty -Macedonian dynasty (867-1057) begins with Basil I- empire eventually reaches a new high, and although it had less territory than under Justinian I, its territories were more secure (Treadgold, 5, 132-133) -Basil II (976-1025), the Byzantine emperor (known as the //Bulgar Slayer//) who lead a massive campaign to destroy the Bulgars, which end in the total defeat of the Bulgar armies and the surrender of Bulgaria (Sherrard, 61-63)(Rosser, 49-50) -Under the Macedonian dynasty, differences between the Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic churches rose, summating in the Great Schism in 1054 (Norwich, 229-230)

**__Socio-Political Structure__** (top) -The Byzantine Empire was governed by an emperor, who held absolute power and was divinely crowned, and whose heirs would take the throne ([|Court])(Rosser, 135) -The Byzantine emperors held much more control over their empire when compared to the kings and queens of Europe- Byzantine emperors more like Roman emperors than Medieval kings (Rautman, 46)([|Groiler]) -The government and society of the empire was very bureaucratic and complex ([|Court])(Rosser, 135) -The government was a religious empire, with the emperor a messenger for Christ, and endorsed and backed by the Eastern Orthodox Church (Sherrard, 75)([|Groiler]) -Religion played very important role in everyday life and culture ([|Groiler])([|Church]) -Non-Christians in the empire were sometimes accept and other times persecuted, depending on who was the ruling emperor and his attitude towards other religions and religious groups ([|Stathakopoulos]) -The Byzantine Empire had an organized and much more complex system of law when compared to other cultures at the time, mainly because it was based of Roman law -Lower social classes were treated much the same way as in European Middle Age cultures, usually left to their own devices and taxed, with little support from the government ([|Peasants]) -Byzantine women were also treated much like other women of the time but with some exceptions ([|Women]) -They could run businesses (//ibid//) -Were able to be part of the church as nuns (//ibid//) -They had equal rights when inheriting or selling land (//ibid//) -Maintain ownership of their dowries (//ibid//) -Many girls were taught to read and write (//ibid//) -All classes faced heavy taxes, especially the lower class peasants and farmers, who made up the main work force ([|Peasants])

**__Transportation and Weaponry__** (top) -The Byzantines used “Greek Fire” an early incendiary weapon, that was feared throughout Europe and the Middle East (Rosser, 178-179) -Originally developed in 7th century (//ibid//) -Could burn on many substances, including water (//ibid//) -Recipe is thought to have contained sulfur, saltpeter and oil (Sherrard, 88) -Greek Fire was used primarily by the Byzantine Naval forces, and was key in winning some battles (Sherrard, 88)(Rosser, 178-179)(Treadgold, 99, 104, 129) -The Greek Fire could be fired from ballistae and other ship mounted weapons, as well as poured on archers’ arrows and was often fired from siphons or tubes (Sherrard, 88)([|Wikipedia]) -Deployment of weapon was either kinetic or hand powered (Sherrard, 88-89) -Greek Fire dangerous to transport, and only used in favorable conditions ([|Wikipedia])(Sherrard, 88)(Rosser, 178-179) -Byzantine ships were armed with ballistae and catapults, which launched various things like arrows, stones, javelins, caltrops and even pots of lime ([|Wikipedia]) -Ship combat mostly projectile attacks and boarding action ([|Wikipedia]) -Byzantines used ships for sea travel and horses for ground travel -Byzantine ships were usually oar and sail powered, and had large crews for oars (Sherrard, 89)

**__Agriculture and the Economy__** (top) -The Byzantine Empire was entirely dependent upon agriculture and farming, which formed the base of its economy, culture, and empire in general (Sherrard, 122-123)(Rosser, 8, 129-130) -Areas close to the sea grew more favored crops such as olives, vines, and grains ([|Peasants]) -Areas in the Balkans and Asia Minor were more focused on the raising of livestock (//ibid//) -Fishing was also an important aspect of coastal and sea communities (//ibid//) -Fish were plenty in the Mediterranean coastal areas (Sherrard, 33) -Wheat and grains were common crops and food for all people (Sherrard, 123) -Birds were also hunted for food (Sherrard, 121) -Agricultural tools were simple and straight forward (Rosser, 8) -In many of the hilly areas, only hand tools were used (Rosser, 8)(Sherrard, 123)

**__Art, Literature and Music__** (top) -Most Byzantine art was religious in nature ([|Art]) -Secular architecture and builds were relatively bland and simple, but non-secular buildings featured impressive and advanced architecture (Sherrard, 138-139) -Domes and vaults were favored for Byzantine church buildings ([|Art]) -Church buildings beautifully decorated, with numerous paintings and mosaics ([|Art]) (Sherrard, 146) -Most paintings were done in fresco ([|Art]) (Foss, 117) (Sherrard, 156) -Mosaics were very common and beautiful, the empire was known for them (Foss, 116-118) -Mosaics were very time consuming and difficult to make, and more expensive -Mosaics were favored over paintings (Sherrard, 156) -Mosaics and fresco paintings were often of religious figures (Foss, 117)(Sherrard, 145)([|Art]) -Byzantine art was very influential, spreading to other countries and affecting art styles during the Renaissance ([|Art]) -Sculptures were uncommon, except for ivory engravings (Foss, 119) -Most sculptures were non-religious (e.g. book covers, family engravings, etc)(Foss, 119) -Byzantine secular literature were usually poems, modeled on Greek and Roman classics (e.g. //Iliad// and //Odyssey//) (Sherrard, 136-137) -Many famous historians and historical works (//ibid//) -Byzantine religious literature, especially poetry and hymns are considered among the best in Christian literature (Sherrard, 138)

**Works Cited** (top) "The Byzantine Empire." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 25 Apr. 2009 <[]>.

Hooker, Richard. "The Byzantines." __European Middle Ages__. 06 June 1999. Washington State University. 25 Apr. 2009 <[|http://wsu.edu/~dee/MA/BYZ.HTM]>.

Jenkins, Romilly J.H. __Encyclopedia Americana__. 2009. 25 Apr. 2009 <[]>.

"Meet the People: Byzantine Women." __Explore Byzantium__. 2003. 25 Apr. 2009 <[]>.

"Meet the People: Peasants and Farmers." __Explore Byzantium__. 25 Apr. 2009 <[]>.

Norwich, John J. __A Short History of Byzantium__. New York: Knopf, 1997.

Rautman, Marcus. __Daily Life in the Byzantine Empire__. Greenwood Group, 2006.

Rosser, John H. __Historical Dictionary of Byzantium__. Scarecrow P Inc., 2001.

Sherrard, Philip. __Great Ages of Man: Byzantium__. Time-Life Books, 1966.

Stathakopoulos, Dionysios. "The Elusive Eastern Empire." __History Today__ 58 (2008): 38. __EBSCO Host__. EBSCO. 25 Apr. 2009 <[]>.

Treadgold, Warren. __A Concise History of Byzantium__. Palgrave, 2001.

"Byzantine Empire." __Encyclopædia Britannica Online__. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica. 25 Apr. 2009 <[]>.

"Byzantine Navy." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 25 Apr. 2009 <[]>.

"Byzantine Art." __Encyclopædia Britannica Online.__ 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica. 1 May 2009 <[]>.

Foss, Clive, and Paul Magdalino. __Rome and Byzantium.__ Oxford: Elsevier-Phaidon, 1977.

"Governorship of Istanbul - Climate of Istanbul." __Governorship of Istanbul - Main Page__. 01 May 2009 <[]>.

"Istanbul climate and weather Turkey, Istanbul Rainfall Temperature Climate and Weather." __Word Travels - Travel Guide. Destination guides for the world traveller__. 01 May 2009 <[]>.

"Meet the People: The Orthodox Church." __Explore Byzantium__. 01 May 2009 <[]>.

"Meet the People: Imperial Court and Aristocracy." __Explore Byzantium__. 01 May 2009 <[]>.

**Image Citations** (top) Map of Constantinople -[] Basil II image -[] Greek Fire -[] Byzantine vineyard farmers -[] Christ Pantocrator -[]