The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe Essay

Words: 963
Pages: 4
Open Document
The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe

The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe originally were part of the Roman Empire, but by the middle Ages(medieval times), they were very different, even though they did share some common traits, but by the 300's, the Byzantine Empire had far surpassed Western Europe in trade and economics and political unity, while both empires were having arguments over religion.
Despite the collapse of the Roman Empire, Europe still stood, separating into two different areas, governed two different ways. Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire had very different government structures. The Western half became Western Europe with popes, and princes ruling at that time. The Eastern half became The Byzantine …show more content…
Western Europe lasted much longer than The Byzantine Empire with their feudal system because they had a much larger military due to much land being given away in return for military protection. As well as having a similar military service to protect their lands, both halves of Europe adopted the same or similar laws. Several Byzantine emperors had called for new laws and edicts to be made for their empire. The most famous of these laws and edicts to be made was the Corpus Juris Civilis. In the eleventh century however, Western Euorpe began to adopt this collection, and use it instead of their canon and feudal law. If Western Europe had adopted these laws and edicts much sooner, this half of Europe might have fell just as The Byzantine Empire had.
Thus, despite big differences between the two halves of Europe, they were also greatly similar in ways. Both Western Europe and The Byzantine Empire were similar in ways relating to their government and military tactics, but different in ways relating to the way each half of Europe ruled its territory. Western Europe believed in using nuns and nunneries to teach their people, as well as having two rulers ruling different parts of the government. The Byzantine Empire felt that there
Show More

Related Documents: The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe Essay

Rise and Fall of Rome Notes Essay

The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire Why a Roman “Fall” ● Instability caused by no real plan of succession ● Generals fought for power ● In one 50­year period there were 26 rulers ● Trouble on the borders ● Morally bankrupt leadership ● High cost to maintain Army led to high taxes ● Farmers left land and the middle classes fell into poverty ● Moral decay of culture ● Loss of faith in Rome ● Values such as patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty declined…

Words 1084 - Pages 5

Ap World History Comparative Essay

Western Europe and Eastern Europe, despite a notably different political climate, had mostly similar societies. In both regions, the Christian faith retained a prominent role. Despite divisions that caused the East West Schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, belief in God and adherence to church practices remained a constant in both regions. Both regions still maintained a relatively hostile relationship with their non-European neighbors, and the ideas of autocracy remained…

Words 590 - Pages 3

Western Civilization DBQ

invade the capital of the Byzantine Empire, the city of Constantinople. By withstanding constant years under siege by the Arabs, the Byzantine Empire helped shaped and preserve the uniqueness of Western Civilization. As stated by John Julius Norwich in Document A, “The Byzantines…[withstood] five years of siege by [the Arabs] hitherto considered irresistible, and in doing so… saved Western civilization. Had the [Arabs] captured Constantinople in the seventh century… all Europe- and America-…

Words 348 - Pages 2

Time Of The Dark Ages Course Outline Chacon 2 2 Essay

Time of the Dark Ages *************** Devry University Time of the Dark Ages The Dark Ages as a term has endured many evolutions. This time was referred to the Dark Ages because among all citizens, Europe went from having absolute leaders into adopting the Roman law system. The expression of the “Dark Ages” came into play during the 17th century when many enlightenment writers convinced that they were much greater to their ancestors and began using this term to scorn an era that they found…

Words 1572 - Pages 7

Essay On Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine empire was one the most long standing and advanced empires of its time. Byzantine culture was a mix of Greek and Roman influences. The capital city of Constantinople was located on a straight and served as the bridge between Europe and Asia. The economic and strategic advantages which came from this ideal location allowed the Byzantine Empire to last for centuries. The Byzantine culture developed rich traditions of art, science, and literature while preserving elements of classical…

Words 408 - Pages 2

Essay on Byzantine Empire HW Quiz

Julia Wilkeyson March 30th, 2015 Mr. McCarthy AP World 9 1) Hagia Sophia, also known as the Church of Holy Wisdom, was and is the most famous architectural structure in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was built by Emperor Justinian I, and is one of the world’s key monuments because of its huge size and daring technological innovations. When it was first built, the Hagia Sophia was a Christian church, but was converted into a mosque when Byzantium was invaded. It is…

Words 999 - Pages 4

Middle Ages Essay

continued. The barbarian invaders formed new kingdoms in the remains of the Western Roman Empire. In the 7th century North Africa and the Middle East, once part of the Eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire), became an Islamic Empire after conquest by Muhammad's successors. Although there were substantial changes in society and political structures, the break with Antiquity was not complete. The still-sizeable Byzantine Empire survived and remained a major power. The empire's law code, the Code of…

Words 374 - Pages 2

Making Of Europe

\ The Making of Europe During the old ages, Europe was a very complex society. The only other known nations were Africa and Asia. Europe was far more superior to both of these continents during these times. There were many different things that led to the making of Europe. The prime factors that contributed to the result of Europe were Greco-Roman heritage, Germanic traditions, Christianity, and Byzantine culture. The Byzantine Empire was a buffer for Europe and the nations that were eastward…

Words 557 - Pages 3

Model Essay Comparison Essay Post-Classical Civilizations

civilizations arose shortly thereafter. Compare the factors that led to the rise post-classical civilizations from 500 CE to 1200CE between two of the following regions- Europe, East Asia, Africa or the Middle East. Model Essay Comparison Essay Post-Classical Civilizations With the collapse of the Roman, Gupta and Han empires, the world was left in a period of chaos with little structure in most areas. However after these collapses and the interlude that followed, post-classical civilizations…

Words 1296 - Pages 6

Essay on Unity in an Empire

AP Global Essay An Empire or a Union, to be successful, needs several things to keep it from collapsing, it needs many things but it needs one important thing that holds the whole Empire or Union together and that is unity. Unity is defined as an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality according to Webster’s dictionary. For many this was hard to achieve for many reasons. The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire after the Roman Empire split in 285 CE by Emperor Diocletian…

Words 1396 - Pages 6