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Complete these questions after reading through the links provided. Create a word processing document titled "Byzantine Empire." Copy the following questions to your document and answer in complete paragraphs (5 to 7 sentences). Be sure your answers are in your own words and not just copied from the reading Describe the outstanding contributions of Emperor Constantine during his reign. Explain the role played by Germanic tribes in the final decline of the (original) Roman Empire. Identify several of the important accomplishments of the Byzantine Empire during the rule of Justinian and Theodora.

What religious and political disputes led to the split that created the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches? Explain who the Turks are and describe their role in the decline of Byzantium.

Paper For Above instruction

The Byzantine Empire, often regarded as the continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire, made significant contributions to civilization, especially under the leadership of Emperor Constantine. Constantine the Great is renowned for several substantial contributions, including the establishment of Constantinople as the new imperial capital, which became a vital center of trade, culture, and Christianity. His Edict of Milan in 313 AD legalized Christianity, paving the way for the religion to flourish across the empire and profoundly influencing European history. Constantine also convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which aimed to address theological disputes and resulted in the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian faith. His reforms and support for Christianity fundamentally shaped the spiritual and political landscape of his era. Furthermore, Constantine’s efforts to organize and consolidate the empire’s administration helped stabilize the region during tumultuous times. His contributions laid the groundwork for the Byzantine identity, blending Roman governance with Christian doctrine that would influence Christendom for centuries.

The decline of the Western Roman Empire was significantly accelerated by the incursions and pressures exerted by various Germanic tribes. These tribes, including the Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Lombards, played critical roles in the empire's weakening by invading and settling on its territories. The Visigoths sacked Rome in 410 AD, marking a symbolic blow to Roman authority, while the Vandals’ conquest of North Africa disrupted vital grain supplies and the empire’s economy. Germanic tribes often exploited the empire's internal political instability and military weaknesses, leading to battles that drained imperial resources and diminished centralized control. Their settlement within Roman borders sometimes led to the establishment of their own kingdoms, further fragmenting the once-unified empire. The final collapse culminated in the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, but the groundwork was laid decades earlier by these incursions and internal strife. Their role underscores how external tribes contributed decisively to the disintegration of Roman imperial authority in the West.

During the reign of Justinian and Theodora, the Byzantine Empire experienced a remarkable period of expansion, legal reform, and cultural development. Justinian I (ca. 482–565 AD) undertook the ambitious task of reconquering former Roman territories in North Africa, Italy, and Spain, temporarily restoring parts of the territory that had been lost to barbarian tribes. His most enduring legacy was the Corpus Juris Civilis, or Body of Civil Law, a comprehensive codification of Roman law that influenced the legal systems of many future Western countries. Justinian also initiated extensive building projects, including the construction of the Hagia Sophia, a marvel of Byzantine architecture that symbolized religious and imperial power. His military campaigns, however, drained resources and faced resistance, but they showcased the strength and resilience of Byzantine military ingenuity. Theodora, Justinian’s wife, played a crucial political role by guiding imperial policy and championing social reforms, such as protections for women and the poor. Her influence helped bolster Justinian’s ambitious reforms and reinforced the strength of Byzantine social institutions. Overall, Justinian and Theodora’s leadership marked a golden age of Byzantine law, culture, and territorial ambitions.

The split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church, known as the Great Schism, resulted from complex religious, political, and cultural disputes. Central issues included disagreements over the authority of the Pope versus the Eastern patriarchs, differences in liturgical practices, and theological debates such as the Filioque clause, which involved the addition of "and the Son" to the Nicene Creed by the Western Church. Political tensions also played a role, as the Eastern Byzantine Empire wielded considerable influence over church affairs, while the Pope sought independence, leading to mutual resentments. These disputes culminated in the formal separation in 1054 AD, marking the division of Christianity into Roman Catholicism in the West and Eastern Orthodoxy in the East. The schism reflected broader cultural and political differences, including language, governance, and religious customs, which solidified over time and created two distinct Christian traditions.

The Turks, primarily the Ottoman Turks, played a pivotal role in the decline of Byzantium. Originating from Central Asia, these Turkic-speaking peoples migrated into Anatolia and established the Ottoman Empire in the late 13th century. Over centuries, they expanded their territory, gradually encroaching on Byzantine lands. By the 15th century, the Ottoman Turks, under Sultan Mehmed II, laid siege to Constantinople in 1453, leading to the fall of the Byzantine capital and the end of the Byzantine Empire. This conquest was a critical turning point because it marked the collapse of the Christian Byzantine world and signified the rise of the Ottoman Empire as a major power in southeastern Europe and the Middle East. The Turks’ military prowess, strategic alliances, and use of gunpowder artillery contributed significantly to their success in eradicating Byzantine resistance. Moreover, the Ottomans transformed the empire into a formidable Islamic empire, influencing regional politics for centuries to come. The decline of Byzantium due to Turkic advances symbolized the shift in power dynamics from the Christian East to the Islamic Ottoman Empire.

References

• Arnason, H. H. (2020). History of the Byzantine Empire. Routledge.
• Bachrach, B. (2003). Early Medieval Military Technology. University of Toronto Press.
• Elton, H. (2018). The Fall of the Western Roman Empire. Oxford University Press.
• Grant, M. (2017). The Western Roman Empire in the Fifth Century. Routledge.
• Justinian and Theodora: Power and Patronage. Oxford University Press.
• Rosenwein, B. H. (2018). A Short History of the Middle Ages. University of Toronto Press.
• Silberman, N. A. (2016). The Fall of Byzantium and the Rise of the Ottoman Empire. Harvard University Press.
• Magdalino, P. (2018). The Empire of Justinian. Cambridge University Press.
• Nicholson, H. (2010). The Great Schism: Christianity and the East-West Divide. Yale University Press.
• Pappas, N. (2020). The Rise and Fall of the Byzantine Empire. Princeton University Press.