What was it about Byzantine Christianity?

Byzantine Christianity originated in the eastern Roman Empire where it evolved concurrently with the emerging Byzantine state. It was the dominant form of Eastern Christianity throughout the Middle Ages and during this period it developed a complex theological system with unique spiritual practices.

What religion did the Byzantines believe in?

A central feature of Byzantine culture was Orthodox Christianity. Byzantine society was very religious, and it held certain values in high esteem, including a respect for order and traditional hierarchies. Family was at the center of society, and marriage, chastity, and celibacy were celebrated and respected.

Who did the Byzantines convert to Christianity?

Constantine
It would become the standard for Byzantine and European currencies for more than a thousand years. As the first Roman emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, Constantine played an influential role in the development of Christianity as the religion of the empire.

Did the Byzantines make Christianity illegal?

Christianity was the official religion in the Roman Empire, but the Byzantines made it illegal. Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire, but many spoke Greek in the Byzantine Empire.

What type of Christians were the Byzantines?

Scenes of agricultural life in a Byzantine Gospel of the 11th century. The Byzantine Greeks were the Greek-speaking Eastern Romans of Orthodox Christianity throughout Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

How did the Byzantine Empire practice Christianity?

The type of Christianity practiced in Byzantium was called Eastern Orthodox. Eastern Orthodox Christianity is still practiced today. The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church is called the Patriarch of Constantinople. There were also men called bishops in the major cities of the Empire.

How did Christianity affect the Byzantine Empire?

Christianity had a large impact on the Byzantine Empire and the cities it traded with due to the fact that it constructed a theocracy, fused with Greek literary styles to create a whole new breed of literature, and dictated what was taught in Byzantine schools.

How did Christianity become the official religion of the Byzantine Empire?

The Byzantine Empire was influenced by the Hellenistic culture created by the conquests of Alexander the Great. As you read in a previous chapter, Emperor Constantine ended the persecution of Christians, and Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire.

Did the Byzantine Empire allowed religious freedom?

Although the Justinian Code remained in force in the Eastern Empire until the ninth century, the period following Justinian’s reign was generally characterized by toleration of non-Christians, particularly the Jews.

What did the Byzantine and Islamic empires have in common?

Greek Heritage Both the Byzantine and Islamic civilizations were greatly influenced by the Greek culture before them. Both Byzantine and Muslim thinkers were influenced by Greek philosophers such as Aristotle and Socrates. Many important Greek texts were translated into Arabic and stored in Muslim libraries.