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Byzantine
Table of Contents, or Click for Page Top- Have a contextual understanding of the early Medieval and Byzantine art.
- Have a formal understanding of various styles, media, and methods of artistic and architectural production.
- Gain an understanding of various art historical themes present within these cultures.
Introduction
We have gone through many civilizations and centuries, but no period like one often called the "Dark Ages." Were the Dark Ages really "dark"? Let us look to the Byzantine and Medieval Europe to find out!
Outcomes
It is the goal of this lesson to:
Context
Byzantium and the Early Medieval Eras
Following the death of Constantine and reconnection of the entire Roman Empire, the empire soon slipped back into strife and was split once again between east and west by Theodosius in the fifth century, when the capitol was moved to Ravenna. The Roman empire to the east was unified by similar religious beliefs and defence against common enemies like the Ottoman Turks. The eastern empire is known as Byzantium, which referred back to the original name of the area Constantine renamed Constantinople. Though the Roman Empire was in collapse, these new emperors did not call themselves "Byzantines," but instead insisted that they were Roman. They kept with earlier Roman traditions even though they spoke Greek, not Latin. This empire lasted nearly 1,000 years as the rest of Europe shifted as the result of conquests, even as it remained unified under the Roman Catholic church.
The western European empires were in constant flux. Early in the fifth century, warrior lords held claim over most of Europe. Militaristic societies like the Celts, Vikings, and others had individual, defined cultural styles. These cultures quickly formed into empires of their own, including the Hiberno-Saxons of Britain and Ireland and the Carolingian Empire, both of which were unified under the Roman Catholic church, led by the Pope.
Following the death of Charlemagne in 814 and the death of his son Louis in 840, the Carolingian Empire was split between Chrarlemagne's three grandsons in the Treaty at Berdun in 843. The breakup weakened the kingdom even as constant attacks battered the empire. It finally consolidated itself in 936 as Otto took power and the Ottonian Empire began. Otto was crowned the "Emperor of Rome" by the Pope; he cemented the ties between the Roman Catholic church and the future of the empire. The Ottonian line ended in the 11th century with the death of Henry II. For more on the context of this time, please refer to the following:
