Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Trebonian

Accepted Answer

Trebonian refers to Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus, who was a Roman Emperor from 251 to 253 AD. He came to power after the previous emperor, Decius, and his son were killed by the Goths at the Battle of Abrittus. Trebonian Gallus is known for making a peace treaty with the Goths, allowing them to keep their plunder in exchange for leaving Roman territory. His reign was marked by multiple crises, including the Plague of Cyprian, economic difficulties, and ongoing conflicts with both external tribes and internal usurpers. Trebonian Gallus was eventually killed by his own troops, who then proclaimed Aemilianus as the new emperor.

Question 2

"The fall of the Byzantine Empire was caused by the Christian schism and the Crusades." Do you agree or disagree? Explain, using examples to make your case.

Accepted Answer

I disagree with the statement that the fall of the Byzantine Empire was solely caused by the Christian schism and the Crusades. While these events certainly had a significant impact on the empire, there were a multitude of other factors that contributed to its decline and eventual fall.

One major factor was the constant threat of invasion from neighboring powers, such as the Ottoman Turks. The Byzantine Empire was constantly engaged in military conflicts, which drained its resources and weakened its ability to defend itself. The empire also faced internal political instability and economic challenges, which further weakened its position.

Furthermore, the decline of trade routes and the loss of key territories also played a significant role in the empire's downfall. The loss of important trade routes and territories meant a loss of revenue and resources, which further weakened the empire's ability to maintain its power and influence.

Additionally, the internal divisions within the Byzantine Empire, including power struggles and conflicts between different factions, also contributed to its decline. These internal divisions weakened the empire and made it more vulnerable to external threats.

In conclusion, while the Christian schism and the Crusades certainly had an impact on the Byzantine Empire, they were not the sole causes of its fall. A combination of external invasions, internal instability, economic challenges, and the loss of key territories all played a role in the decline and eventual fall of the empire.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Theodora

Accepted Answer

Theodora is most commonly associated with Empress Theodora, who was one of the most influential and powerful empresses of the Byzantine Empire. She was the wife of Emperor Justinian I and played a significant role in the political and religious affairs of the empire during her reign from 527 to 548 AD.

Empress Theodora is known for her intelligence, political acumen, and her efforts to advance the rights of women. She is credited with influencing Justinian to pass laws that prohibited the trafficking of young girls and altered divorce laws in favor of more benefits to women. Additionally, she is remembered for her support of the Monophysite Christian sect, which was at odds with the official Chalcedonian position of the empire.

Theodora's life before her marriage to Justinian was colorful and controversial. She was an actress and, according to some sources, a courtesan, which was considered a scandalous past for an empress. Her early life is vividly described in the historical work "The Secret History" by Procopius, although the accuracy of his account is debated by historians.

Theodora's legacy is one of a strong, complex figure who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful women in Byzantine history. Her life and work have been the subject of numerous historical and fictional accounts, and she remains a significant figure in the study of the Byzantine Empire.

Question 4

What were the causes, nature, and results of the Italian Renaissance? Was it synonymous with humanism? Why or why not? How humane was the humanism of the time? Why?

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Question 5

In which ways the "new kind" of Byzantine empire that rose after the problems of the seventh century was different from the Empire of Justinian?

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Question 6

Discuss the main economic, religious, political and military achievements of the Byzantine Empire at its zenith. Give specific examples.

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Question 7

What were the factors, internal and external, that led to a decline in the Catholic Church's prestige and a loss of its power by the beginning of the fifteenth century?

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Question 8

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Hagia Sophia

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Hagia Sophia...

Question 9

Discuss the impact of the Crusades upon the Byzantine Empire.

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Question 10

Discuss both Justinian's failures and his successes. Provide specific examples of each.

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Question 11

"The Black Death and the Hundred Years' War were more representative of the modern world than the medieval era." Discuss critically, using examples to make your case.

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Question 12

Describe the main causes and consequences of the Black Death in Europe.

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Question 13

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Belisarius

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Belisarius...

Question 14

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Justinian

Accepted Answer

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Justinian...

Question 15

Was the Renaissance an evolutionary or a revolutionary event, or both? Discuss, using specific examples.

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Question 16

Consider the following statement: "The Renaissance was a direct consequence of the High Middle Ages." Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

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Question 17

How would European life in the fourteenth century have been different if the Black Plague had not come to Europe? Which individuals and groups might have been better off if it had not occurred, and which groups might have been worse off? Why?

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Question 18

What were the causes, effects, and most significant events of the Hundred Years' War? Did the Hundred Years' War differ in any manner from earlier medieval warfare? If so, how and why?

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Question 19

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Corpus Iuris Civilis

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Corpus Iuris...

Question 20

What were some of the issues that divided Orthodox Christianity from Roman Catholic Christianity? Be specific.

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Quiz 13: The Byzantine Empire and Crisis and Recovery in the West

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). Trebonian