1. Take a look at the enemies list here and remember that the most important ones to remember, for Byzantine history at least, are the Turks, Sassanid Persians, and Arabs (Muslims).
2. The rough outline of our two-day discussion is:
I. East vs. West (Roman Empire)
II. Byzantine Bureaucracy
III. Impact of the Crusades on the Empire
Today, we began our discussion by comparing the remnants of the Western Roman Empire with the Byzantine Empire.
Western Rome"derelict states after 476 AD" individual kingdoms loyal to the pope in Rome weak "Dark Ages" more spread out lower population fewer cities | Eastern Rome (Byzantines)"a maritime empire in total control of the Mediterranean economy"
"themes" national pride/patriotism several major trade-based cities Orthodox Christianity, combined with government center of learning and culture #1 power in Eurasia/Africa more populated, more cities, more trade, more agriculture |