The Byzantine Empire
The purpose of this course is to explain the nature and history of the Byzantine Empire. It uses images and a spoken narrative and explanation of events.
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The purpose of this course is to explain the nature and history of the Byzantine Empire. It uses images and a spoken narrative and explanation of events.
The purpose of this course is to explain the nature and history of the Byzantine Empire. It uses images and a spoken narrative and explanation of events.
Between 330 AD and 1453, Constantinople (modern Istanbul) was the capital of the Roman Empire, otherwise known as the Later Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, the Mediaeval Roman Empire, or The Byzantine Empire. For most of this time, it was the largest and richest city in Christendom. The territories of which it was the central capital enjoyed better protections of life, liberty and property, and a higher standard of living, than any other Christian territory, and usually compared favourably with the neighbouring and rival Islamic empires. It was a unique fusion of the Later Roman State and the Christian Church. After an early period, in which it was seen as just the Roman Empire with a new faith and a new capital, and in which Latin remained the language of law and administration, it gradually transitioned to a Greek Orthodox nation state, absolutely distinct from mediaeval Christendom in the West and from the realms of Islam. Its durability throughout its thousand years of existence is attested by its survival of climatic disaster, plague, demographic collapse, and one apparently final destruction.
Subjects covered include:
· The foundation of the City and establishment of the Christian Faith
· Survival and growth of the Eastern Empire in what was otherwise and age of collapse
· The failed glory that was the Age of Justinian
· The Persian War and the Islamic explosion
· The long recovery after about 700
· The decline of the Empire after 1025
· Recovery after the Crusader sack of 1204
· The long decline and the final Turkish conquest
Other subject touched on are the various theological disputes and changes in the Greek language.
The course is delivered by an experienced university lecturer who has written widely on ancient and Byzantine history.
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Learn how the byzantine empire grew out of the roman empire
- Learn about the fusion of church and state and people that was the empire
- Learn about the challenges the empire faced through its thousand years of history
- Learn about the people and culture of the empire
- Learn how the byzantine empire grew out of the roman empire
- Learn about the fusion of church and state and people that was the empire
- Learn about the challenges the empire faced through its thousand years of history
- Learn about the people and culture of the empire
Syllabus
Rome to Byzantium: The Great Transformation
In this, the first in the series, Sean Gabb explains the set of crises that hit the Roman Empire in the third century, and the solution to these crises - a divine right oriental monarchy with an established Christian Faith and a new capital in Constantinople.
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Syllabus
In this, the first in the series, Sean Gabb explains the set of crises that hit the Roman Empire in the third century, and the solution to these crises - a divine right oriental monarchy with an established Christian Faith and a new capital in Constantinople.
In this, the second in the series, Sean Gabb contrasts the fate of Eastern and Western Roman Empires - the latter headed for rapid collapse, the former towards a thousand years of glory.
In this, the third in the series, Sean Gabb explains the early years of the Emperor Justinian (518-65): the Nika Riots, the building of the Hagia Sophia, the general state of the Mediterranean World
In this, the fourth in the series, Sean Gabb explains how all the reign of Justinian turned from hope and triumph to disaster - stalemate in Italy, climate shock, famine, plague, population collapse.
In this, the fifth lecture in the series, Sean Gabb discusses the progressive collapse of Byzantium between the middle years of Justinian and the unexpected but sterile victory over the Persian Empire.
In this, the sixth video in the series, Sean Gabb discusses the impact on the Byzantine Empire of the Islamic expansion of the seventh century. It begins with an overview of the Empire at the end of the great war with Persia, passes through the first use of Greek Fire, and ends with a consideration of the radically different Byzantine Empire of the Middle Ages.
In this, the seventh video in the series, Sean Gabb explains how, following the disaster of the seventh century, the Byzantine Empire not only survived, but even recovered its old position as hegemonic power in the Eastern Mediterranean. It also supervised a missionary outreach that spread Orthodox Christianity and civilisation to within reach of the Arctic Circle.
In this, the eighth video in the series, Sean Gabb explains how, having acquired the wrong sort of ruling class, the Byzantine Empire passed in just under half a century from the hegemonic power of the Near East to a declining hulk, fought over by Turks and Crusaders.
Subjects covered include:
The damage caused by a landed nobility The deadweight cost of uncontrolled bureaucracy
The first rise of an insatiable and all-conquering West
The failure of the Andronicus Reaction
The sack of Constantinople in 1204
In this, the ninth in the series, Sean Gabb gives an overview of the last years of Byzantium, from the Crusader Sack in 1204 to the Turkish capture in 1453.
Good to know
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Activities
Volunteer at a local museum or historical society that focuses on Byzantine history
Show steps
Gain practical experience and enhance your understanding by engaging with experts and artifacts in a museum or historical society setting.
Show steps
-
Identify local museums or historical societies that have Byzantine collections or expertise.
-
Inquire about volunteer opportunities and responsibilities.
Explore online resources and documentaries about the Byzantine Empire
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and gain fresh perspectives by exploring a curated selection of online materials and documentaries.
Show steps
-
Identify reputable online resources and documentaries.
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Watch or read the materials, taking notes on key insights.
Read 'Byzantium: The Early Centuries' by John Julius Norwich
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of the Byzantine Empire's origins and early development by reading a historical account of the period.
Show steps
-
Read the book, taking notes on key events and figures.
-
Discuss the book's content with classmates or fellow history enthusiasts.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Read 'The Life of Justinian' by Procopius
Show steps
Gain insights into the reign of one of the most influential Byzantine emperors by reading a historical account from a contemporary observer.
Show steps
-
Read the book, focusing on Justinian's achievements and challenges.
-
Analyze the author's perspective and biases.
Develop a timeline of major events in Byzantine history
Show steps
Solidify your grasp of the sequence and significance of key events in Byzantine history by creating a visual representation.
Show steps
-
Research significant events in Byzantine history.
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Organize the events chronologically.
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Design and create a visually engaging timeline.
Create a digital scrapbook or presentation on a specific aspect of Byzantine culture
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of Byzantine culture by researching and presenting on a topic of your choice, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Show steps
-
Choose a specific aspect of Byzantine culture, such as art, architecture, or literature.
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Gather information and images from reliable sources.
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Design and assemble a visually appealing digital scrapbook or presentation.
Engage in discussions with peers about specific aspects of Byzantine history
Show steps
Enhance your understanding by sharing and discussing perspectives with other students, fostering collaboration and critical thinking.
Show steps
-
Identify a specific topic or event in Byzantine history.
-
Prepare research or talking points on the topic.
-
Engage in discussions, actively listening to others' perspectives.
Analyze primary sources related to the Byzantine Empire
Show steps
Sharpen your historical analysis skills by examining and interpreting original documents from the Byzantine period.
Show steps
-
Access primary sources such as letters, chronicles, or legal documents.
-
Read and analyze the sources, identifying key information and perspectives.
-
Draw inferences and make connections to the broader historical context.
Volunteer at a local museum or historical society that focuses on Byzantine history
Show steps
Gain practical experience and enhance your understanding by engaging with experts and artifacts in a museum or historical society setting.
Show steps
- Identify local museums or historical societies that have Byzantine collections or expertise.
- Inquire about volunteer opportunities and responsibilities.
Explore online resources and documentaries about the Byzantine Empire
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and gain fresh perspectives by exploring a curated selection of online materials and documentaries.
Show steps
- Identify reputable online resources and documentaries.
- Watch or read the materials, taking notes on key insights.
Read 'Byzantium: The Early Centuries' by John Julius Norwich
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of the Byzantine Empire's origins and early development by reading a historical account of the period.
Show steps
- Read the book, taking notes on key events and figures.
- Discuss the book's content with classmates or fellow history enthusiasts.
Read 'The Life of Justinian' by Procopius
Show steps
Gain insights into the reign of one of the most influential Byzantine emperors by reading a historical account from a contemporary observer.
Show steps
- Read the book, focusing on Justinian's achievements and challenges.
- Analyze the author's perspective and biases.
Develop a timeline of major events in Byzantine history
Show steps
Solidify your grasp of the sequence and significance of key events in Byzantine history by creating a visual representation.
Show steps
- Research significant events in Byzantine history.
- Organize the events chronologically.
- Design and create a visually engaging timeline.
Create a digital scrapbook or presentation on a specific aspect of Byzantine culture
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of Byzantine culture by researching and presenting on a topic of your choice, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Show steps
- Choose a specific aspect of Byzantine culture, such as art, architecture, or literature.
- Gather information and images from reliable sources.
- Design and assemble a visually appealing digital scrapbook or presentation.
Engage in discussions with peers about specific aspects of Byzantine history
Show steps
Enhance your understanding by sharing and discussing perspectives with other students, fostering collaboration and critical thinking.
Show steps
- Identify a specific topic or event in Byzantine history.
- Prepare research or talking points on the topic.
- Engage in discussions, actively listening to others' perspectives.
Analyze primary sources related to the Byzantine Empire
Show steps
Sharpen your historical analysis skills by examining and interpreting original documents from the Byzantine period.
Show steps
- Access primary sources such as letters, chronicles, or legal documents.
- Read and analyze the sources, identifying key information and perspectives.
- Draw inferences and make connections to the broader historical context.
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