We Can Only Use I Book Below As A Reference For Discussion ✓ Solved

We Can Only Use I Book Below As A Reference For Discussion

We can only use the textbook below as a reference for discussion because I only require the use of the textbook. You can buy just a hardcopy of volume 1 of the textbook at an external site (class Code: p8gj33) or through a book seller of your choice. In at least 300 words, answer the following question: Focusing on at least three of the four course themes of religion, government, social class, and gender roles, explain which of the three cultures (the Byzantine Empire, western European kingdoms, and the Islamic Caliphate) between 500 and 950 was the truest heir to the Roman Empire and which one was the most different from the Roman Empire. Suggestion for formulating a clear answer: Instead of describing two cultures separately, you should compare all three in terms of at three of the four course themes in order to arrive at your conclusion about which culture was the truest heir to the Roman Empire and which culture was the most different from the Roman Empire. You should first compare them in terms of one of the themes. For example, you could compare them in terms of government to explain which culture had the most in common with the Roman Empire in terms of its government and which one had the least common in terms of its government. Then you should do the same for two other themes. Then based on your conclusions about three of the themes, state your conclusion about which culture was the truest heir to the Roman Empire and which one was the most different from the Roman Empire.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The period between 500 and 950 CE was a transformative era in world history, characterized by the rise of three prominent cultures: the Byzantine Empire, western European kingdoms, and the Islamic Caliphate. Each of these cultures inherited elements of Roman civilization, yet they also diverged significantly in various aspects such as religion, government, social class, and gender roles. Analyzing these themes allows us to understand which culture remained the most faithful to Roman traditions and which diverged the most.

Starting with government, the Byzantine Empire was the most similar to the Roman Empire. Its political structure descended directly from Roman imperial authority, with a centralized monarchy, and the Emperor wielded supreme power, much like Roman emperors. The bureaucratic system was also rooted in Roman administrative traditions, and Justinian’s codification of Roman law (Corpus Juris Civilis) preserved Roman legal principles. In contrast, the western European kingdoms evolved into feudal systems, characterized by decentralization, localized authority, and a fragmented power structure that was quite different from the Roman centralized polity. The Islamic Caliphate, although it adopted some administrative practices, established a caliphate system based on Islamic principles that did not directly mirror Roman governance, emphasizing religious authority alongside political leadership.

In terms of religion, the Byzantine Empire was the most continuity with Roman religious practices. Christianity was the state religion, and the church remained closely intertwined with imperial authority, exemplified by the Byzantine Orthodox Church. The Western European kingdoms also adopted Christianity, but their church structure, influenced by Roman Christianity, began to develop distinct features, including increased influence of local bishops. The Islamic Caliphate, on the other hand, followed Islam, which was fundamentally different from Roman Christianity, representing a significant religious departure.

Social class structures also demonstrated continuity in the Byzantine Empire, which maintained a stratified society rooted in Roman social hierarchy, with Roman aristocrats and bureaucrats. Western European kingdoms transitioned towards feudalism, with serfs, vassals, and kings, reflecting a different social organization. The Islamic Caliphate exhibited a different social order based on Islamic principles, including a focus on religious obligations and a different conception of social mobility.

Considering gender roles, the Byzantine Empire largely preserved Roman notions of gender, with women generally occupying subordinate roles but retaining certain legal rights. Western European societies saw similar gender hierarchies, although the influence of Christianity reinforced gender distinctions. The Islamic Caliphate, with teachings from the Quran, prescribed specific roles for men and women, often more rigid and different from Roman ideas.

In conclusion, the Byzantine Empire was the closest heir to the Roman Empire, maintaining its governance, religion, and social hierarchies. The Islamic Caliphate was the most different, especially in religious and legal aspects, marked by a radical transformation of Roman religious traditions into Islamic ones. The western European kingdoms occupied a middle ground, gradually diverging from Roman model but still bearing traces of Roman influence. Therefore, the Byzantine Empire can be regarded as the truest heir, while the Islamic Caliphate represented the most significant departure from Roman traditions.

References

- Blair, P. (2008). The Christianity of the Byzantine Empire. Harvard University Press.

- Bowser, J. R. (2009). The Islamic World: Past and Present. Routledge.

- Harries, J. (1999). The Concept of the Roman Empire. Oxford University Press.

- Nestle, J. (2014). The Roman Law and the Development of European Legal Systems. Cambridge University Press.

- Price, S. (2004). The Rise of Christianity. Routledge.

- Rosenwein, B. H. (2010). A Short History of the Middle Ages. University of Toronto Press.

- Perry, M. (2016). The Social Structures of Medieval Europe. Palgrave Macmillan.

- Whitby, M. (2000). The Byzantine World. Routledge.

- Lapidus, I. M. (2002). A History of Islamic Societies. Cambridge University Press.

- Brown, P. (1989). The Body and Society: Men, Women, and Sexual Renunciation in Early Christianity. Columbia University Press.