Byzantine Empire is the continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Timeframe: 330 AD to 1453 AD. Ended with the conquest by the Ottoman Turks.
Known for a blend of Roman systems and Greek culture.
Capital: Constantinople.
Significant Emperor: Justinian I.
Emperor Justinian I
Known for reconquering parts of the Western Roman Empire from Germanic tribes.
Famous wife: Theodora.
Stood ground during a rebellion in Constantinople.
Influenced Justinian to stay and suppress the rebellion successfully.
Contributions:
Justinian's Code: First attempt to systematize and codify laws.
Basis for the development of Western legal tradition.
Conflicts and Wars
Frequent wars with Persian Empire leading to mutual exhaustion, making both empires vulnerable to future invasions.
Economic and Religious Significance
Part of the Mediterranean Sea trade network.
Main religion: Christianity, split into Eastern Orthodox Christianity after the Great Schism (1054 AD).
Led by the Patriarch of Constantinople vs. the Pope in Roman Catholicism.
The spread of Eastern Orthodox Christianity through missionaries Cyril and Methodius who converted many in Eastern Europe.
Decline Factors
Weakened by constant wars, rebellions, and epidemics.
Notable epidemic: Black Death in the 1300s.
Rise of Islam and the Caliphates
Overview of the Spread of Islam
Originated in Arabia in the 6th and 7th centuries led by Prophet Muhammad.
Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage).
Syncretism with local beliefs: e.g., Hajj from pre-Islamic traditions.
Expansion and Division
Muhammad united Arabian Peninsula; after his death, Islam split into Sunni and Shia branches.
Immediate split due to disagreement over rightful successor.
Sunnis: Caliph should be chosen by consensus (Abu Bakr endorsed).
Shia: Leadership should remain within Muhammad's family (Ali endorsed).
Islamic Conquests and Governance
Rapid expansion: defeated Persians, and Byzantines, and conquered vast territories including Egypt and North Africa.
Governance through Caliphate system, led by a Caliph with both political and religious authority.
Sultanates emerged with local rulers (Sultans) administering regions under the overarching rule of Caliphs.
Ummayad and Abbasid Caliphates
Ummayad Caliphate: Expanded into Spain and halted Chinese expansion at Battle of Talas.
Abbasid Caliphate succeeded Ummayads, moving capital to Baghdad, fostering a golden age of Islamic culture till Mongol invasion in 1258.
Cultural and Technological Contributions
Legal and Cultural Contributions
House of Wisdom: Center of knowledge in Baghdad, preserved and translated many Greek and Roman texts.
Advances in medicine: Hospitals, mobile clinics, and detailed diagnostic methods.
Literature and scholars like Al-Khwarizmi (father of algebra) and Ibn Sina (Avicenna) in medicine.
Feudalism in Europe
Overview
Emerged after the fall of the Roman Empire as a system of protection against invaders.
Hierarchal structure: King -> Nobles -> Knights -> Serfs
Each level had obligations to the one above and below.
Serfs worked the land in exchange for protection from lords.
Charlemagne and Holy Roman Empire
Charlemagne attempted to revive the Roman Empire, crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 AD.
Resulted in a fragmented system where local lords held significant power, undermining centralized authority.
Vikings
Significant Contributions
Established a comprehensive trade network throughout Northern Europe during their raiding and trading expeditions (790s-1100s).
Notable for the use of longships, enabling navigation of both open seas and rivers.
Connected with Byzantine Empire and Abbasid Caliphate, facilitating cultural and technological exchanges.
Founded key trading towns improving the integration of local economies.
East and Southeast Asian States
China
Tang and Song Dynasties notable for unifying China and advancements in culture and technology.
Tang Dynasty: Expanded Chinese territory, suppressed Buddhism to restore Confucian values, known for the establishment of the Grand Canal and promotion of Neo-Confucianism.
Song Dynasty: Continued Confucian principles, implemented foot-binding as a patriarchal practice, and focused on commercialization and trade.
Southeast Asian Maritime Empires
Srivijaya Empire: Controlled trade in the Sunda Straits, initially Buddhist before the spread of Islam.
Majapahit Empire: Followed Srivijaya, transformed into a predominantly Islamic region through trade and cultural exchange with Muslim traders.