Chapter 7: Rome’s Three Heirs: The Byzantine, Islamic, and Early Medieval Worlds
Research Topics
From Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages
What role did religion play in the formation of each of these civilizations? What were their contributions to western civilization?
Following the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, the western world became divided among three main civilization -- Byzantium, Islam and Western Europe. These are the heirs of the Roman world. Each civilization was, in a way, characterized by one man: Justinian, Muhammad and Charlemagne and the personality of each man helped to determine the future development of each civilization.
What role did religion play in the formation of each of these civilizations? What were their contributions to western civilization?
Following the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, the western world became divided among three main civilization -- Byzantium, Islam and Western Europe. These are the heirs of the Roman world. Each civilization was, in a way, characterized by one man: Justinian, Muhammad and Charlemagne and the personality of each man helped to determine the future development of each civilization.
- The Deeds of Clovis as Related by Gregory of Tours, 6th century
At the Battle of Strasburg, Clovis made a vow that if his wife's God would grant him victory, he would become a Christian - which he did, as well as most of the Frankish kingdom. - Selections from the Qur'an
The Qur'an contains all the recorded speeches and sayings of the prophet Mohammed and is the central text in the Islamic faith. - Bede, Description of Purgatory, Hell and Heaven, 731
The Church Fathers developed a doctrine of "final purification," which Bede takes up in his Ecclesiastical History of England. - General Capitulary for the Missi, 802
The missi domini was an official of the Carolingian court who supervised the administration of laws in a specific part of the Frankish kingdom. - Einhard, How Charlemagne Became Emperor
Charlemagne's biographer Einhard left this detailed account of Charlemagne's coronation as "the great and pacific emperor of the Romans." - The Carolingian Revival of Learning, c. late-8th century
One of Charlemagne's greatest aspirations was to initiate the revival of learning in the Frankish kingdom. - Liutprand of Cremona, Report of his Mission to Constantinople (c. 1000)
Liutprand was sent to Constantinople by Otto the Great in order to arrange a marriage that would bring peace between Otto's kingdom and the Byzantine empire.
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