Byzantine Empire - History as a mystery
Government:
- Legal Code of Justinian 529 A.D. :
- Fair to both sides
- Can't force a person to leave their property
- "In case where the claims of the two parties appear to be equal in merit, the person who has possession of the object in dispute has the stronger claim . . . "
- Yu should believe what you want
- Innocent people should not be punished
- If a crime is committed, it's important if it was on purpose or accidental
- "A guilt or punishment should not be carried over to the son . . . "
- The emperor was viewed as a representative of God
Religion:
<--- Eastern Orthododx and the Roman Catholic Church
- Russia converts to Christianity"
<--- Eastern Orthododx and the Roman Catholic Church
- Majority of Byzantine population is Orthodox Christianity
The great Schism of 1054: Christianity divided in two
Roman Catholic Church:
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Eastern Orthodox:
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Culture:
- Interior Church of Saint Sophia
- Prosperity from architecture
Economics:
- Constantinople was the center of trade
- Byzantine Empire controlled the Mediterranean sea, controlling trade
New center of culture in an age of Turmoil
(500-1200 A.D.)
New center of culture
Two new centers of culture emerged during this period. The Byzantines and Arabs controlled large empires in Eastern Europe and in the Middle East.
The Byzantine Empire
(330-1453)
Two new centers of culture emerged during this period. The Byzantines and Arabs controlled large empires in Eastern Europe and in the Middle East.
The Byzantine Empire
(330-1453)
330 A.D. Emperor Constantine:
-- Bosporus Strait: Connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea
-- Surrounded on three sides by water -- thick walls -- invulnerable
The Byzantine Develop a Unique Culture:
** Diverse population
** Own form of Christianity:
-- Eastern Orthodox -- separate from the Roman Catholic Church
-- Language was greek -- switched from Latin to Greek
Reasons for the Survival of the Byzantine Empire:
** Peaceful relation with the Muslim Empire
Location:
** Furs from Russia
** Grains, olives, and wine from the empire itself brought great wealth
Strong Central Government:
- Moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantine
- Greek city -- Eastern part of the Empire
- Re-named it Constantinople:
-- Bosporus Strait: Connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea
-- Surrounded on three sides by water -- thick walls -- invulnerable
The Byzantine Develop a Unique Culture:
- Western part of the Roman Empire collapsed in the 5th century
- Byzantine Empire survived another thousand years:
** Diverse population
** Own form of Christianity:
-- Eastern Orthodox -- separate from the Roman Catholic Church
-- Language was greek -- switched from Latin to Greek
Reasons for the Survival of the Byzantine Empire:
- Classic Culture:
** Peaceful relation with the Muslim Empire
Location:
- At the crossroads of Europe and Asia
- Constantinople -- major center of trade
** Furs from Russia
** Grains, olives, and wine from the empire itself brought great wealth
Strong Central Government:
- Ruled by a series of powerful emperors
- Strong centralized administrations
- Single set of laws
- Central government taxed merchants and peasants to support a large standing army
Emperor Justinian
Basic Info:
- Justinian ruled from 527-565
- Emperor had all the laws of Ancient Rome collected, revised, and organized
- His code became the basis for Western European law in 1100's A.D.
- Used today as basis for international law
Military goals:
- Determined to revive grandeur of Ancient Rome
- Reconquered North Africa, Italy, and Southern Spain
- Established a trade nation around the Mediterranean Sea
Problems Arise:
- Dissatisfaction aroused with Justinian's government ministers
- Chariot-racing faction united and rioted, demanding the removal of unpopular officials
- Tried to overthrow Justinian
- His awesome wife - Empress Theodora save the day when she began having speeches with the public convincing them not to overthrow Justinian
Legacy:
** Magnificent use of arches to support huge doomed roof.
3. First a church, then a mosque + now, a museum
- Under Justinian, the Byzantine Empire reached its height in cultural and prosperity
- Built the Hagia Sophia
** Magnificent use of arches to support huge doomed roof.
3. First a church, then a mosque + now, a museum
Mongol Empire
Location:
- The largest land empire ever -- stretched across Asia and Eastern Europe
- Conquered people were forced to pay tribute to the Mongols but were otherwise allowed to maintain their culture and lifestyle
- Mongol rulers in China allowed freedom of worship. This reduced the threat of rebellion.
- Mongol rulers encouraged intermarriage with conquered people. This made the Mongols seem less like invaders and more like fellow citizens
- Led to hash and strict methods of control developing in Russia and China
- Created peace and stability that led to trading and stability that led to trading interactions with Europe
Extra notes:
Nomads: Need for water leads to conquest - Central Asia lacked rain for agriculture
Pax: Peace
The Mongols declared themselves to be the descendants of Huns (May or may not have been true)
Nickname: Tartars --> "People from Hell"
Nomads: Need for water leads to conquest - Central Asia lacked rain for agriculture
Pax: Peace
The Mongols declared themselves to be the descendants of Huns (May or may not have been true)
Nickname: Tartars --> "People from Hell"
Government:
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Culture:
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Economics:
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Conquests
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Legacy:
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Japan
Japan's geography:
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Effects on Japanese Development:
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Feudalism in Japan
Government
Emperor:
- The emperor's palace was at Kyoto. Although he was officially the ruler of Japan, he had very little power. He played a ceremonial role in religious rituals.
Shogun:
- The shogun's palace was at Edo (now Tokyo). He was the most powerful man in Japan and the country's real ruler. The position was passed from father to son.
Daimyo:
- The daimyo were feudal lords. They held most of Japan's land and were powerful local rulers.
Samurai:
- The samurai were a class of warriors who served the local daimyo. Some were very wealthy and were served themselves by poorer samurai. They were respected by the peasant families.
Farmers:
- Most farmers were peasants whose lives were hard. They worked just to keep themselves alive and to pay their taxes to those above them.
Craftsmen:
- Craftsmen in the towns were not regarded very highly because they were outside the traditional village system.
Merchants:
- Merchants were thought to be of little importance little importance because they didn't produce anything. Although they were not highly regarded, some merchants were vey rich.
Japan went through a period of time where the only other counties that it traded with were Korea and China . . .
Culture
- Kami: It is anything outside the box, awe-worthy
- Korea brought cultural diffusion to the islands of Japan
- China influences Japanese culture
- Prince Shotoku is known for speeding up the process in which Japan accepted Chinese culture in Japan.
- Cultural diffusion with Korea: Clothing,art, and materials to use for art
Religion
- Japan's people converted into Buddhism because of China's influence
- Beliefs: Human body is weak and for that one [a person] has to be the body of Buddha
- Samurai must be proper and follow a strict way of life
- Male roles are viewed as a superior to female roles
Feudalism:
- A political, economical, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.
Samurai: Code of Bushida
- Fidelity
- Politeness
- Virility
- Simplicity
Zen Buddhism:
- A japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China.
- It reinforced the Bushida values of mental and self-dicipline
Shintoism:
- Shintoism, which means "way of the Gods," is a traditional religion of Japan that focuses on nature.
- Established: Shinto was founded around the year 500 B.C.
- Founder: Evolved from a mixture of tribal religions with similar beliefs
- Currently practiced: Most common in Japan
- Emperor was considered divine by people who practiced Shinto
- Appreciation for nature
- Every mountain, river, plant, animal, and all the diverse phenomena of heaven and earth have spirits, or Kami, which inhibits them. Reverence is paid to the ancestors through the practice of ancestor worship.
West African Kingdoms
Economy
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Culture
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Religion
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Government
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Legacy
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