AP World Chapter 9
The Byzantine empire traded with China in the east, Scandinavia in the north, Arabia, India, and the Mediterranean. The empire had a large merchant class who brought diverse goods.
How could the Byzantine trading network be considered "far-flung"? (p.200)
Rurik
Legendary Scandinavian, regarded as founder of the first kingdom of Russia based in Kiev in 855.
Moscow
After the fall of the Mongol Empire, where was Russian power centered?
About half of the territory was lost. It took 800 years for the Byzantine Empire to officially fall.
Through Arab invasions, how much Byzantine territory was lost? (p.199) See maps on pages 198 and 203.
Kiev
Trade city in southern Russia established by Scandinavian traders in 9th century; became focal point for kingdom of Russia that flourished to 12th century
Roman laws had to be rewritten. Justinian's code was the new, unified law code was based off the Twelve Tables. It consisted of 4 codes. It updated and streamlined Roman laws and added new laws.
What were the benefits of his law code? (p.197)
Tatar (means "people form hell) control was loose enough that Russian Christianity and the language of the area were never fully lost. Mongols were very tolerant of other people groups and religions. Mongol control completely separated Russia from outside developments such as the Renaissance. Russia was far behind the rest of Europe in education and literacy.
What were the effects of Tatar control on Russian history? (p.207)
Rival princes set up regional governments which weakened control of the state. The issue of succession caused quarrels in the royal families. The decline of the Byzantine Empire (which was a source of trade and wealth) spiraled Kiev into further into decline. The Mongols invaded in 1237-1238 and 1240-1241.
What were the reasons for Kievan decline? (p.206-207)
Bureaucrats in the royal household were often eunuchs. Provincial governors were appointed from the center and had the responsibility of overseeing military authorities. There was an elaborate system of spies to preserve loyalty, but this caused distrust among friends. The state controlled the church and appointed the head church officials.
What were the various roles of the Byzantine Empire's bureaucrats? (p. 200)
Mid 800s to mid 1200s
What years did Kiev last?
She was daughter to a Byzantine emperor. She refused the arranged marriage, causing her sister Zoe to marry the man who became emperor. Zoe sent Theodora to a convent. There was a rebellion against the new emperor. Zoe and Theodora shared the throne after the rebellion. This showed that women could have influence in the government, but they still had to have some connection to a male ruler.
Who was Theodora and what does her role within the empire tell us about women's status in Byzantium? (p.199)
Rurik
Who was the first ruler of Kievan Rus?
The Tatars were Mongols. Tatar means "people from hell."
Who were the Tatars and what did the name mean?
Greek fire
Byzantine weapon consisting of a mixture of chemicals that ignited when exposed to water; utilized to drive back the Arab fleets that attacked Constantinople
The Balkan Peninsula, the northern Middle East, the eastern Mediterranean coast, and north Africa.
Constantinople and consequently the Byzantine Empire was responsible for what territorial holdings?
Rulers could have wide political and religious powers. Churches were ornate. Polygamy gradually became monogamy. The Cyrillic alphabet was adopted. Monastic community emphasized religious devotion and were educated.
Culturally, what did Kievan Rus' borrow from Byzantine society? (p.205)
Byzantine rulers recruited local troops and outside Slavic and Armenian troops to protect the large empire. Rulers rewarded their military service with grants of land. The land couldn't be sold, but sons, in return for continued military service, could inherit it.
Describe Byzantine military organization. (p.200)
Kiev was founded by traders from Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark) called Vikings. These merchants were using the rivers on their way to Constantinople. Kiev was a trading outpost that grew into a popular city. The first ruler of Kievan Rus was Rurik.
Explain the background to the formation of Kievan Rus'. (p.204)
The Sassanian Empire in Persia, the Huns, Germanic tribes, and Arab forces
The early Byzantine Empire was marked by the constant threat of invaders. Who were these invaders?
800 years.
How long did it take for the Byzantine Empire to officially fall?
Like in China, the emperor of the Byzantine Empire claimed to be ordained by God and was head of the church and state. Bureaucrats from each civilization were mainly from aristocratic families, but could also be from lower castes. Byzantine merchants had more voice and power than merchants in China, but still were not high status.
How was the Byzantine political system similar to that of China in terms of a ruler's authority, bureaucracy, and merchant status? (p.199-200)
1. Turkish Islam converts invaded the empire by pressing on its eastern borders. 2. Invasions cut the empire off from prosperous agricultural regions and sources of tax revenue. 3. Battle of Manzikert in 1071 was lost by the Byzantines. The larger army was destroyed and the empire never recovered. 4. Independent kingdoms in Serbia and Bulgaria (Bulkan territories) broke away from the empire. 5. Cries for help in the west were ignored because of the Great Schism. 6. In 1097, Western soldiers (Christian crusaders) who were supposed to be taking the holy land briefly conquered Constantinople 7. In 1453, Constantinople was taken by Ottoman force, putting an end to the empire.
List and explain reasons for the decline of the Byzantine Empire. (p.202-201) (seven reasons)
Tatars
Mongols; captured Russian cities and largely destroyed Kievian state in 1236; left Russian Orthodoxy and aristocracy intact
The Hagia Sophia was the greatest engineering feat in the Byzantine Empire. Justinian also rebuilt Constantinople after a riot over chariot racing broke out and destroyed the city. Hagia Sophia was preserved by invaders and turned into a mosque.
One of Justinian's lasting contributions was in the rebuilding and glorifying of Constantinople. This is most clearly seen with his construction of what famous church? (p.197)
Vladimir I
Ruler of Russian kingdoms of Kiev from 980-1015; converted kingdom to Christianity
Boyars
Russian aristocrats; possessed less political power than did their counterparts in Western Europe
Russian Orthodoxy
Russian form of Christianity imported from Byzantine Empire and combined with local religion; king characteristically controlled major appointments
Bulgaria
Slavic kingdom established in northern portions of Balkan peninsula; constant source of pressure on Byzantine Empire; defeated by Emperor Basil II in 1014
Constantinople, previously called Byzantium. This city connects two major waterways and sits between Europe and Asia.
The Byzantine Empire was centered on what city? What was this city previously known as?
Western soldiers (Christian crusaders) who were supposed to be taking the holy land briefly conquered Constantinople
What happened in 1097?
Constantinople was taken by Ottoman force, putting an end to the empire.
What happened in 1453?
Justinian died
What happened in 565 CE?
Church splits into a Roman Catholic West and an Eastern Orthodox East.
What happens in 1054 CE?
Vladimir I not only converted himself to Christianity, but he decided for his people to convert to Christianity. He forced his citizens, through military pressure, to be baptized. Church leaders were imported from Byzantium to educate and train local youth to become priests.
What role did Vladimir I play in the spread of Christianity to Russia? (p.204)
Cyril and Methodius were Orthodox Christian missionaries who traveled to the eastern Europe and southern Russia. They could speak the Slavic language and created an alphabet called Cyrillic. They shared the gospel and Christianity. They translated the Bible into new script. They allowed local languages to be spoken in church services.
What roles did Cyril and Methodius play in helping to spread Christianity throughout Eastern Europe? (p.203)
The Czech area (Czech republic), Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania were competed over by the two branches of Christianity.
What territories in East-Central Europe were competed over by western Catholicism and eastern Orthodoxy? (p.204)
Invasions took prosperous agricultural regions in North Africa and Syria. Taxation on the peasant class caused them to flee the empire or join bandit groups.
What types of economic strains were placed on the Byzantine Empire through Arab invasions? (p.199)
The Western church translated the Greek Bible into Latin, causing different rituals to develop. Byzantine emperors hated that popes were trying to decrease the government's control of the church and make it conform to the papal idea of church-state relations. The issue of what bread to use in the Lord's Supper and celibacy of priests had been problems for a long time, and Patriarch Michael brought them up again. Each side had different rituals to worship because they used different Bibles. The West used Latin and the East used Greek. Pope's interference bothered people. Trade contacts between the two branches declined. The church split in 1054 (the Great Schism).
What were some of the changes or events that led to a split between eastern and western Christianity? (p.201-202)
The Jews coming into Eastern Europe were escaping intolerance in Western Europe and fleeing the Middle East. The Jews moved mainly to Poland. They gained strength in local commerce and emphasized the importance of education and literacy. The kiang was open to religious diversity. Jews were banned from owning land, so they could not earn money by farming.
Why was there a large influx of Jews into Eastern Europe in the 12th century? What impact did they have on that society? (p.204)
