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Explore the rich history of the Byzantine Empire, from the powerful reign of Justinian to the fall of Constantinople, and delve into Russia's rise under Ivan III and Ivan IV. Learn about their cultures, rulers, and impact on Eastern Europe. Uncover the connections between these two influential empires and their enduring legacies.
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Heir to the Roman Empire • strong government andmilitary • prosperous economy • center of Hellenistic culture • ruled by an autocrat - sole ruler with complete authority over government, economy, and religion
Constantinople ~ capital • richest city in Europe • center of trade • great location on the shores of the Bosporus Strait • church of Hagia Sophia
Justinian ~ ruled 527-565 • empire reached its peak under his reign • Code of Laws - summarized all Roman law • Theodora - wife of Justinian • took an active role in politics • worked to protect women’s rights
Decline • struggles over succession, court intrigues, constant wars • 4th Crusade - burned and plundered Constantinople in 1204 • 1453 - Ottoman Turks captured the city and renamed it Istanbul
Russia • ethnic background: Slavs and Vikings • “Apostles to the Slavs” - Greek monks: Cyril and Methodius • converted the Slavs to Christianity around 863 • created Cyrillic alphabet to translate Bible into Slavic languages
Kiev • first Russian city • influenced by Byzantine Empire • 988 - Russians ordered to abandon Slavic gods for Eastern Orthodox
Mongols • ruled Russia for 240 years (1240-1480) • tolerant rulers who demanded heavy tribute • forced Russian princes to acknowledge them as overlords • absolute power of Mongols was a model for Russian rulers • cut Russia off from contact with Western Europe
Rise of Moscow • princes of Moscow defeated the Mongols • Moscow became spiritual capital of Russian Orthodox Church
Ivan III ~ the Great • ruled 1462-1505 • founder of modern Russia • took the title of czar • 1480 refused to pay tribute to Mongols = final break • limited power of nobles • married niece of Byz. emperor & adopted Byz. court rituals
Ivan IV ~ the Terrible • ruled 1533-1584 • introduced laws binding the serfs to the land • established a tradition of “extreme absolute power” • 1500s - renewed contact with Western Europe
Eastern Europe • mix of ethnic groups (share common language and culture) • Slavs, Asians, Vikings, Germanics • mix of religion: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Islam, and Judaism • during Middle Ages, Eastern Europe was a land of little kingdoms