The development of European civilizations came later than its predecessors like the

Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Indus Civilizations. The cause can be traced back to the
last ice age when the Egyptians started making their magnificent pyramids, European
tribes are still in its Neolithic Era.
A lot of people would distinguish Greece as the standard for its cultural brilliance in
ancient times. But before the myths and contributions of Greece, it has its own
forerunners, the parents that influenced the Greek Civilization, the Minoan and
Mycenaean Civilizations.

Minoan Civilization
The Minoans settled on an offshore island from Europe, on the island of Crete. The
name of its civilization was derived from Minos, the mythic king believed to be the son
of Zeus.
The capital of this ancient kingdom was Knossos. It was here that an English
archaeologist named Arthur Evans found remnants of a palace. The palace ruins mirror
the lavish lifestyle and progressive culture of the Minoans

Geography and Government

Minoans are not really skilled soldiers, as a matter of fact, their cities don't have any
defensive walls. This is because of their isolated kingdom that worries less about any
foreign invasion. Since they are in the Mediterranean Sea, Minoans thrived as Sea
Traders.
They were ruled by their priest-kings, who observes both political and religious
authority. People revere their kings with respect as they believed them to represent the
kingdom's needs to the deities.
Also, Minoans observe social equality where no discrimination on sexes is observed.
Minoan ships believed to have traded with the Phoenicians using their boats.

Minoan Lifestyle
Minoans enjoy improving their Physical skills. Physical activities such as Boxing which is more
of leisure than a sport and the crowd anticipated Bull Jumping/Leaping. Bull Jumping
participants would sometimes thrust themselves high in the air using the horns of the bull and
land on the animal's back.

Art and Literature

Early Minoans first practiced the use of seals as official stamps for documents. As to
art, Minoans are famous for their Frescoes, painting of water-based pigments on
freshly applied plaster. They paint significant events on their life on the wall considering
it as a wall "photo-album".
And the most famous and enduring story from the Minoans is the famous Minotaur in
the labyrinth.
Sadly the Minoan civilization declined by the late 15th century B.C., but the exact cause is
unknown. One theory is that the volcanic eruption on Thera damaged other cities along
Minoan trade routes, which hurt Crete economically.

Mycenean Civilization
Unlike the Minoans who thrived in the seas, the Mycenaeans dwelt in mainland Greece.
Around 1900 BCE when the Mycenaeans began to travel from Central Asia to Europe.
They settled in Peloponnesus, a peninsula in the southern part of Greece.
Because of their location, Mycenaeans developed a warlike attitude as it is surrounded
by unpredictable conflicts and threats. They also surrounded their kingdom with fortified
stone walls.

Mycenaean Lifestyle
Like the Minoans, Mycenaeans enjoy improving their physical skills. With their forged bronze
swords and shields, they venture on "Lion-Hunting" as leisure. Expensive leisure that might
cost your own life.

Impact on Literature
Before the story, are you familiar with Trojan Malware? Trojan malware takes its name
from the classical story of the Trojan horse because it imitates the technique to infect
computers. A Trojan will hide within seemingly harmless programs or will try to trick you
into installing it. Unlike viruses, Trojans do not self-replicate by infecting other files or
computers.
The story of the Trojan Horse originates from the "Iliad" written by the blind poet
named Homer. But Sir, how can he write when he is blind? Good question, he recites
the story of the Iliad which is the war between the Greeks against the Trojans and his
students, as listeners list it down and compile for him.

Conclusion
The Minoans are skilled sea traders who lived on an island while the Mycenaeans
developed a warlike attitude in mainland Greece.
These Greek predecessors influenced the classical period through art, physical
activities, and literature. Despite the demise of these civilizations, its influences and
wonder go on until now.
Here come the Greek geeks!
Geography
Geography played an important role in the civilization that was formed in Greece.
Greece which is founded on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula is bordered by
Macedonia in the north, the Ionian Sea at its West, the Aegean Sea on its east, and the
Mediterranean Sea below.
Greece is highly mountainous, which separated the different city-states, to be
independent and form their own government.

t he climate of Greece is conducive to the cultivation of grapes, olive, wheat, and barley. Due to
the lack of staple food, the early Greeks needed additional food supply from other places
beyond the sea. A greek cereal can be a good start to your day.

Society
Greeks called themselves Hellenes and their country Hellas. Greece is composed of
independent city-states known as "Polis". Each polis is actively participated by its
people called ―Citizens‖ who gathered in their marketplace called ―Agora‖.
People who don't care enough to participate in the community are called "idiotes". They
declined to take part in public life, such as democratic government and voting in the
Citizens Assembly.
Most of Greek polis is highly paternalistic, seeing men as superior and women as
inferior. Even the polis of Athens only considered men as citizens while women as
properties or under the authority of their fathers if young and to their husbands if
married. Women enjoy limited rights than men who are citizens.
Men were depicted mostly as black in pottery and women in white skin due to the fact that women are
much paler than men for they stayed most of the time inside the house

Religion
The traditional religion of Greece was the worship of many gods and goddesses
(polytheism). These different gods, headed by Zeus, the god of the heavens who finds
his home in Mount Olympus.
These gods have human-like emotions whose protection can be selective to few
mortals.
The Greeks believed that the gods were ready to answer their questions. They could
find out what the gods wanted to impart to them if they go to the oracle or temple that
the gods are revered.
Oracle- a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was
sought from the gods in classical antiquity.
Mt. Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece believed to be the home of the gods

Aphrodite was the goddess of love, sex, and beauty. Unsurprisingly for a love goddess, she
was said to have emerged from the foam generated when the severed testicles of her father,
Uranus, were thrown into the sea by his son, the Titan Cronus.

Athena was the goddess of reason, wisdom, and war. She famously sprung fully formed from
the forehead of Zeus. A major figure in the Odyssey, in which she instructed Odysseus, she
also guided Perseus and Heracles through their trials. The Parthenon was her chief temple in
Athens, which is named in her honor.

Artemis the virgin goddess was the fleet-footed goddess of the hunt. Often depicted in painting
and sculpture with a deer or a hunting dog, she was both huntress and protectress of the living
world. She is the twin sister of Apollo.

Ares was the god of bloodlust god of war. Warriors pray to him for victory.

Apollo. The twin brother of Artemis, Apollo was among the most important (read: feared) of the
gods. Son of Zeus, he disseminated the will of his divine compatriots through various means,
notably oracles. He replaced Helios as the greek sun god.

Demeter, an agricultural goddess, was mother to Persephone, who was abducted by the
underworld god Hades to be his bride

Dionysus was a son of Zeus born to a mortal mother. When Zeus accidentally killed her, he
sewed the young Dionysus into his thigh and, when the young god emerged, passed him to the
care of the maenads. The cult of Dionysus revolved around intoxication, sex, and savage ritual
sacrifice. He is the Greek god of wine and celebration.

The queen goddess of Olympus, Hera was both sister and wife to Zeus. Though she is often
depicted as reserved and austere, she was mercilessly vindictive when it came to her husband‘s
[many] extramarital adventures. She is the goddess of marriage and child-birth.

Like many gods in the Greek pantheon, Hermes presided over multiple spheres. He was a
pastoral figure, responsible for protecting livestock, and was also associated with fertility, music,
luck, and deception. In the Odyssey, he is depicted as a messenger god.

Poseidon is best known as the Greek sea god, but he was also the god of horses and of
earthquakes. (Thus, many of his temples were inland.) And he had some seriously strange
children. Though humanoid, he fathered both the winged horse Pegasus (by Medusa, no less)
and the Cyclops Polyphemus, who is blinded by Odysseus and his crew in the Odyssey

The god of fire, Hephaestus was exiled from Mount Olympus by his mother, Hera, because of
his unsightly appearance at birth. Zeus arranged his marriage to Aphrodite to prevent fighting
among the male gods. He worked underground forging metal into armor and was responsible
for crafting most of the gods‘ equipment, including Hermes‘s winged helmet and sandals,
Aphrodite‘s girdle, as well as the sun-god Helios‘s chariot and Eros‘s (Cupid‘s) bow and arrows.

With the assistance of Hades and Poseidon, Zeus overthrew his father, Cronus, king of the
Titans, and became the chief deity in a new pantheon comprising mostly his siblings and
children. In addition to controlling the weather, Zeus was noted for his chronic infidelity to his
sister-wife, Hera.

Hades ruled the world of the dead, with which he was sometimes synonymous. The chilly lord
of the underworld was among the few Greek gods to come across as dispassionate. He was not
the ultimate judge of the souls that wandered his domain nor did he meet out their punishments
for sins committed during their mortal lives. He was, however, cunning; he tricked Persephone
into eating enchanted pomegranate seeds so that she would have to remain with him for a
portion of the year.

Hestia, in Greek religion, goddess of the hearth, daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and one of the
12 Olympian deities. When the gods' Apollo and Poseidon became suitors for her hand she
swore to remain a maiden forever, whereupon Zeus, the king of the gods, bestowed upon her
the honor of presiding over all sacrifices.

The Greeks lived in independent communities called polis and themselves as to its
citizens. Its sophistication can be shown through their literature and beliefs through
mythologies.
More of the Greek periods will be discussed in the second part lesson on Greek
Civilization.

Greek Dark Ages

Around 1200-800 BCE when the Greeks experienced a slow progress era. This era of
slow progress is defined by scholars as the Greek Dark Ages. Dark Ages is the time in
history when all written records stop. Either stopped or very lax progress.
Polises was controlled by the "Aristoi" or "the best people". Basically, those who are
wealthy and influential can participate in communal matters.
Once in a while, these rich influential people would hold drinking parties in their homes.
This greek party is called as the "symposion". During the party, individuals indulge
themselves with food and wine until they become drunk.
By the morning, when they become sober, these Greeks would stay at the house of
their host and began to discuss serious matters that pertain to the challenges and
solutions for the community. Eventually, the drinking party became an avenue for
people to gather and share sensible ideas. From drunk to sober, from sober to
philosophers
Philosopher - (noun) a person who seeks wisdom or enlightenment
Archaic Age
Archaic means "old". The era between 800-490 BCE was momentous for Greece. It was the
time when City-states started to have their own government and ruling. The two well-known
polises of Greece were Athens and Sparta

 Spartan means "sternly disciplined".

 This polis emphasized the development
of the Physical whole being of an
individual. Women are respected as
equal to men.
 Sparta is a military state which is led by
a council of elders. Though they have 2
kings, still the final say to polis
decisions lies on the majority of the
council.
 Spartans do the best wars in the land.
 Sadly, since they focus on physical
well-being, Spartans made no
contributions to art and thought.
 For Spartan Education (boys only):
At an early age, Spartan boys are taken from their
Age Expectations mothers to be trained.
- start of military
7 years old
training
- Recruited in the army A "palaestra" or instructor is tasked to
20 years old
and allowed to marry. teach boys physical education and all
- Admitted at the academic disciplines.
30 years old assembly and given
government posts
- Cease at their
60 years old Government
obligations

B. Athens

 Athenians have Athena as their patron

goddess.
 The polis of Athens emphasized
intellectual development. Their citizens
would gather in the "Agora" or market
place to discuss trade and politics.
 Athens followed democracy or the rule
of the people.
 This polis is good in naval battles.
 For Athenian education (boys only)

Age Expectations

- admitted to the
6 years old "Akademia" or school
for formal education.

- expected to finish in
16 years old
the Akademia.

 Athens is home to many scientists and

philosophers. the three famous Greek
Philosophers were:
o Socrates
o Plato
o and Aristotle
 The list goes on with other Athenian
Philosophers, Scientists, and
Statesmen

Scientists,
Mathematicians, Contribution/Influences
and Philosophers
- Father of Modern
1. Hippocrates
Medicine
2. Euclid - Father of Geometry

3. Pythagoras - Pythagorean Theorem

- invented “Archimedean
4. Archimedes
Screw”
- wrote “Iliad” and “The
5. Homer
Odyssey”
- Father of History and
6. Herodotus Geography, recorded the
Greco-Persian war
- First Scientific Historian,
7. Thucydides recorded the
Peloponnesian war
Statesmen Contribution/Influences
 - Draconian Code,
1. Draco
imposed Written Laws

- “Lawmaker” expanded
2. Solon the council by 400
representatives

3. Cleisthenes - introduced “ostracism”

4. Pericles - “Golden age of Athens”

- emphasized the poor’s

5. Pisistratus
welfare

Classical Period
Greece's Classical period is composed of advancements and foreign challenges. Herodotus
records the significant events in the Greece-Persian wars from 498 BC – 448 BC and
Thucydides records of the Peloponnesian War(431 to 405 B.C.E.).

The Greece-Persian War Trilogy

1. Battle of Marathon

o 490 BCE, Darius, and the Persian fleet attempted to invade Athens. It sailed to
Marathon Bay, just 25 miles from Athens.
o Under supplied, Athens asked aid from Sparta, but Spartans hated the
Athenians, help did not arrive.
o Fortunately, Athens won, Pheidippides ran from Marathon bay to Athens to
report the good news and died instantly.

Battle of Thermopylae

o 480 BCE, ten years later, Xerxes, son of Darius attacked Greece by defeating
Leonidas and the 300 Spartans in Hot Gates, Thermopylae.
o Next, Xerxes captured Athens and burned Acropolis.
o The Persians won the war.

Battle of Salamis

o 479 BCE, the remaining Athenian ships destroyed the Persian fleet at the Strait
of Salamis.
Athenians led the naval battle while the Spartans led the land combat.
 o The Greeks won.

 The Peloponnesian War

 The Peloponnesian War was a war fought in ancient Greece between Athens
and Sparta—the two most powerful city-states in ancient Greece at the time (431
to 405 B.C.E.). This war shifted power from Athens to Sparta, making Sparta the
most powerful city-state in the region.
 After 27 years Spartans defeated the Athenians, but Spartans were never good
leaders, so the entire country collapsed.

Hellenistic Period
The collapse caused by the Peloponnesian War to the Greek nation made her
vulnerable to foreign invaders. It left them weak and divided.
It was the plan of Philip II, king of Macedonia (Greece's northern neighbor) to unify the
nation under his leadership. He succeeded, except in the control of Sparta.
When he was replaced by his son, Alexander the Great, the young conqueror stretched
his Macedonian empire from Greece to Egypt and as far as India. With his political
power, he spread the culture of the Greeks to the Asians known by the period of
"Hellenistic" meaning "to imitate the Greeks."
Imitating the Greeks brought cultural change to other nations, their lifestyle, history,
advancement, mythology, and philosophies.
The story of Greek Civilization is a story of advancements, progress, and decline. That when
citizens unite together, they can overcome foreign challenges. But if they did not, hating and
fighting each other guarantees no victors by the end.

ROMAN KINGDOM AND REPUBLIC

During the decline of Greek civilization after the Peloponnesian war, across the Ionian
sea, a growing super-power emerged, the Romans.

The Roman Empire was the largest empire of the ancient world. Its capital was
Rome, and its empire was based in the Mediterranean.
Ancient Rome played an essential part in the legacy of world history and the
development of Western civilization.

Roman Kingdom
Mythological Beginnings
The early history of ancient Rome is more mythical than real.
According to Mythology, Rome was first populated by the Trojan War survivors led
by Aeneas.
He was known as the first Roman Hero who led the refugees to a new land
Historians have argued for centuries about the founding of ancient Rome. Most believe
that ancient Rome was founded around 1000 B.C.E. next to the Tiber River.
The mythical account of ancient Rome starts when the twin brothers of Mars, the god of
war, were born

The Formation of a Kingdom

During the formation of early ancient Rome, there were several groups of people that lived in
the area, including Latin, Greek, Sabines, and the Etruscans.

Etruscans imparted many contributions to the Latins:

 Forum – the center of Roman politics and trade

 Use of Arches
 Greek Mythology
 Alphabet
 Brick buildings and tiled roads

Historians think that the culture in early ancient Rome was influenced mainly by
the Etruscans who were a powerful group of people in the region and because many early
ancient Roman kings were of Etruscan descent. And the most powerful among the Etruscans
were the Tarquin family.

Fall of Roman Kingdom

After Romulus‘ mysterious death, there were six more kings elected by the people to rule early
ancient Rome.

The last king of early ancient Rome was named Tarquin the Proud (Lucius Tarquinius
Superbus). He was a violent and cruel king towards the people of early ancient Rome. In 509
B.C.E., the people and senate were exhausted with his cruelty.

They revolted and ousted King Tarquin from early ancient Rome. The people then formed a new
style of government not ruled by a king called a Republic.

Roman Republic
Wait! Hold up! What's the difference between Monarchy and a Republic?
In a Monarchy, the people cannot choose who they want to be their king due to
bloodline succession. However, in a Republic, it is a government with leaders elected by
its citizens. And these leaders that they elect to get a chance to have their seat in
the Senate.
The Roman Republic was controlled by two Consuls and the Senate. The consuls were
elected by Roman citizens and could serve a one year term, but they could run for office
again if they chose.
The Senate is composed of two groups, those who belong to the upper class
(Patricians) and those in the lower class (Plebeians),
Since only the Plebeians unlike the Patrician is required to serve in the army, those influential
military Plebeians are elected as representative in the Senate.
These influential Plebeian representatives are called Tribunes.

During times of war, the Senate will choose one of the two consuls who will be the Dictator.

The Dictator is given temporary absolute power in Ancient Rome during a time of crisis, this will
save the senate time to decide on important decisions.

The legacy of the Roman Republic is still felt today around the world in many ways.
Their form of government, architectural advances, road building, the arts, and style of
warfare has influenced Western Civilization for centuries and even millennials.
As the power of the Roman Republic increases, thus its foreign threats as well.

Roman Empire and Legacies

Events that led to an Empire
Rome's shift from the Republic to an Empire can be traced from both External and Internal
threats to its stability.

This external threat is defined by the epic war between Rome against Carthage in the
three Punic Wars.

1. First Punic War (264 - 241 BC)

2. Second Punic War (218 - 201 BC)
3. Third Punic War (149 - 146 BC)

First Punic War (264 - 241 BC)

 Carthage and Rome fighting for Sicily, an island between them. Before Carthage
was the superpower of the western world and owns Sicily, Rome wanted it badly for
Sea Routes.
 War broke between two powers where the Romans are good in land combat while
Carthaginians were good in a naval battle.
 Fighting over territory in the sea, the Romans were on the losing side since their
enemy has an ace to naval battle. Until the Romans brought land combat at sea with
the Corvus. The Corvus was a Roman naval boarding device used in sea battles
 against Carthage during the First Punic War. It looked like a hooked plank that easily
transferred Roman soldiers from their ship to the enemy Carthaginian ship.
 The Romans won.

Second Punic War (218 - 201 BC)

 Carthage and Rome fighting for control in the Iberian Peninsula led by the
Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca.
 He took an army of men (52,000) and elephants (40) through the Alps and
surprised the Romans in Northern Italy where he won many great battles.
 Though standing outside the under the guarded city of Rome, Hannibal last minutely
chose to sail back to Carthage after knowing that the Roman Army is on its way to
destroy his city.
 And, the Romans won.

Third Punic War (149 - 146 BC)

 Rome destroying Carthage.

 The Carthage Empire surrendered after only a few years and handed up weapons
and men as prisoners.
 But the Romans were not content with this and wanted to destroy Carthage to the
ground.
 Rome erased Carthage by replacing its name on the map to Africa. In honor of the
Roman General Scipio Africanus who destroyed Carthage.

Back in the Senate, senators began to argue for personal interest. The ancient Roman
Republic succumbed to internal pressure from fighting between the plebeians and patricians.

In the midst of conflict, an important character rose, Gaius Julius Caesar.

Rise and Fall of Julius Caesar

 As a senator and governor of Gaul, this gave him the chance to make lots of money,
while his abilities as a general brought him to power and respect.
 Because of this, Julius Caesar also earned enemies. To find support, Julius Caesar
and two other notable Romans named Crassus and Pompey.
 By 50 BC, Caesar had made many powerful enemies. With his life under threat, he
invaded Italy.
 He was successful enough to invade his own city, and he called himself ―Dictator
Perpetuo‖, or Dictator for Life.
 ―Veni Vidi Vici‖ means I Came I Saw I Conquer
 Called as the Uncrowned King
 Ides of March, on March 15, 44 BCE, a band of senatorial assassins murdered
Caesar and Rome plunged into chaos.
 Caesar‘s nephew and adopted son, Octavian, emerged as a new leader in 31 BCE.
He was later called Augustus Caesar and became the first Roman Emperor.

The Roman Empire

After 500 years, the Roman Republic fell and was now officially the Roman Empire
ruled by an emperor.
The discord in the Senate and the thirst to conquer other lands prompted the Roman Republic
to be an Empire. Still, Rome holds the Senate as its law-making body with the Emperor as its
executive.
The Roman Empire conquered many nations. It had a strict social set up so that the Empire
didn‘t fall to ruin. A lot of Rome‘s money came from taxing the territories that it conquered.
When it invaded different nations, it took ideas for new religion and art from these areas. As you
might guess, the most powerful influence was from the Greeks.

Fall Of Rome
Fall of the Western Roman Empire

The term ‗Fall of the Roman Empire‘ usually refers to the fall of the Western Roman
Empire. Roman Empire was, for almost 500 years, the world‘s greatest superpower. Its
eventual demise is attributed to several different reasons.

Decrease of Slave Trade

Roman society depended greatly on the slaves. These men and women not only served their
masters in their homes but also worked in the fields, mines, and mills of the empire.
The Roman military was the largest source of acquiring these slaves and after every military
victory; thousands of slaves were brought to the empire and sold off.
As the expansion of the Roman Empire ceased and the Roman military stopped wining conflicts
against now stronger than ever foes, this supply of slaves dried up. This adversely affected the
economy of Rome which was hugely dependent on the slave force.
This served as a crippling blow to the economy of Rome which was rocked by a sharp decrease
in agricultural and industrial production.

Division of the Roman Empire

Roman Emperor Diocletian divided the empire into the Eastern and Western parts in 285 AD.
The step was taken to make the administration easier.
It, however, created a rift between the two parts and they frequently quarreled over resources,
territories, and military aid. The Eastern part was farther from troublesome Barbaric tribes and
consequentially thrived under peaceful circumstances.

Weakened Roman Military

The Roman military was once famous for its discipline and efficacy in combat. Roman Empire
owed its greatness to its legions that fought numerous wars and won them to expand the empire
across Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
However, as the empire expanded, so did the demand for recruiting more soldiers.
This demand could not be met by recruiting Roman citizens only. Roman commanders had to
recruit non-Romans like Gauls, Goths, Thracians, and Germans.
These non-Roman soldiers did not have any solid commitment to the empire and they often
defied their superiors in battle. Their actions eroded the discipline of legions and their ability to
win wars which contributed to the fall of the empire.

Rise of Christianity
The adoption of Christianity as the state religion in the late 4th century AD adversely affected
the values on which the Roman Empire stood.
The ancient Roman religion viewed the emperor as having a divine stature. Christianity ended
this and ended the obsession of people with state and empire.

Barbaric Invasion
Rome countered military adventures of barbaric tribes like Goths, Vandals, and Germans for
many years and kept them under check. However, towards the last years of the empire military
defeats against these tribes weakened the empire.

These tribes slowly and gradually increased their spheres of influence inside the Roman
territory and in 410 AD, Goths under the command of King Alaric ransacked the city of
Rome.

It was eventually a Germanic military leader, Odoacer, who defeated the last western Roman
Emperor, Romulus Augustus in 476 AD and became the King of Italy.

Most historians believe that the Roman Empire ceased to exist as an entity when Germanic
leader Odoacer defeated the last Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus in 476 AD to become the
first King of Italy.
The fall of the western Roman empire marked the Medieval Age in Europe. Aristocrats from the
Capital made their own independent Kingdoms.
However, some historians believe that the Roman Empire did not fall in 476 AD, as the Eastern
Roman Empire continued to exist for another 1000 years after that.
However, Odoacer’s reign did not stay long when Theodoric the Ostrogoth invaded Italy after
the Eastern emperor had appointed him king of Italy. Odoacer surrendered and was killed in
493 AD.
The greatest impact of Rome in the government is the idea of having a senate and the senate
is a place for more mature attitudes to prevail. Another important influence is Roman law. The
first law code in Roman history was the Law of the Twelve Tables which is the precursor to the
development of Roman law.
"We think of Rome as an empire in a way that we do not use for other nations. The others are
pretenders. Rome stands alone. Throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Near East its
wreckage still draws the traveler and speaks a message that is haunting: this was imperial, this
was lasting, this is gone.”

The Byzantine Empire

The Founding of an Empire
Our story of Christianity in the Byzantine Empire begins with an emperor named Constantine
the great. After his victory in the Battle of Milvian, Constantine the great signed the Edict of
Milan.

The Edict of Milan is a legal document issued by Emperor Constantine the Great,
proclaiming religious tolerance and bringing an end to the persecution of Christians.
The Christians were simply allowed to profess their religion in public without suffering
any consequences for it.
The life of Constantine was celebrated by the Christian Church since then.
In fact, every Santacruzan, with the different Reynas, you will always see Reyna Elena
holding a cross and accompanying her is a small boy. Reyna Elena or Queen Helena
was the mother of Emperor Constantine who influenced his son to revere Christian
beliefs.
Next time you see Reyna Elena in Santacruzan, don't forget the young boy beside her,
that's Constantine the Great.

Byzantine's Government
The Byzantine Empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian. Justinian created
the first Code of Law on marriage, property, and rights known as “Corpus Juris
Civilis” mean "Body of Civil Law". These laws will be used for the next 900 years.
Emperor Justinian is famous during his time to face an early form of Pandemic. At its
peak, the sixth-century Justinian plague is said to have killed some 5,000 people in the
Byzantine capital of Constantinople each day. According to historians, rats carrying
plague-infected fleas likely brought the disease to Constantinople from Egypt aboard
ships importing grain

Byzantine's Legacy
Religion
 Byzantine introduced the religion of Eastern Orthodox. The Patriarch led them, and
the Emperor claims authority over the church. They are also Christian which their
religion allows their priests to marry.
 In 1054, Schism occurred between the Orthodox Christian Church in the East and
the Roman Catholic Church in the West. Schism is the permanent split between the
Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox

Government

 Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler.

 Autocratic rulers in Russia were known as czars. Czar is the Russian word for
Caesar.

Architecture
Byzantine Empire blended Greek, Roman, Persian, and Middle Eastern styles through the
creation of the Church of Hagia Sophia whose name means ―Holy Wisdom‖

Arts

 Byzantine empire started using Icons, or images of biblical or holy people in their
arts.
 They also introduced Mosaics, pictures or designs formed by inlaid pieces of stone
or other materials.
 However during 726 AD, ―Iconoclasm‖ began which refers to the destruction of
images or hostility toward visual representations in general. Eastern Orthodox
Christians discarded and destroyed icons inside their churches.

The Fall of Byzantine

The Fall of Constantinople in May 29, 1453.

he most striking characteristic of Byzantium was not its Christianity, spelled out in its
historic councils and conversions, and celebrated in immense churches like Hagia
Sophia or the domestic intimacy of household icons; nor its Roman organization and
administration and imperial self-belief; nor its enduring ancient Greek inheritance and
system of education: it was their combination.
This dated back to the fourth century with the creation of the new capital, its
monuments, and harbors, which rooted Byzantium in a rich ecology of traditions and
resources.
Medieval Europe
The Middle Ages, or Medieval Times, in Europe was a long period of history from 500 AD to
1500 AD. That's 1000 years! It covers the time from the fall of the Roman Empire to the rise of
the Ottoman Empire.

Middle Age? Medieval? Dark Ages? Which is which?

When people use the terms Medieval Times, Middle Ages, and Dark Ages they are
generally referring to the same period of time. The Dark Ages is usually referring to the
first half of the Middle Ages from 500 to 1000 AD. After the fall of the Western Roman
Empire, a lot of the Roman culture and knowledge was lost. This included art,
technology, engineering, and history. Historians know a lot about Europe during the
Roman Empire because the Romans kept excellent records of all that happened.
However, the time after the Romans is "dark" to historians because there were no
central government recording events. This is why historians call this time the Dark Ages
(insert sad music).

Witch Trials
Early witches were people who believed to practice witchcraft, using magic spells, and
calling upon spirits for help or to bring about change.
any women were sentenced to death either by hanging, drowning, or being torched alive.
Many, however, were simply natural healers or so-called ―wise women‖ whose choice of
profession was misunderstood

Crusades
 The Crusades were a series of wars during the Middle Ages where the Christians of
Europe tried to retake control of Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Muslims.
 Jerusalem was important to a number of religions during the Middle Ages. It was
important to Jewish people as it was the site of the original temple to God built by
King Solomon. It was important to the Muslims because it was where they believe
Muhammad ascended to heaven. It was important to Christians as it is where Christ
was crucified and rose again.
 A lot of Crusades happened in history but the majority was a loss by the Christians.
Although it was a sad plight, still there are some unexpected effects:
o Europeans were introduced to spices
o Xenophobia among the Europeans rose
o The church grew its treasury
The Black Plague
 The Black Death, one of the most devastating pandemics in human history,
resulting in the deaths of an estimated ¾ or 75 to 200 million people in Europe and
Asia.
 The plague was caused by an infection from a flea's bite carried by rats from one
place to another.
 Plague doctors wore a mask with a bird-like beak to protect them from being
infected by the disease, which they believed was airborne

The Plague Doctor carried a wooden stick so that he could drive people who came too close to
him away.

Knights
 Literally, as the first "Iron Men" in history, Knights belong to a social hierarchy called
Feudalism.
 Feudalism is a loosely organized system of rule in which the King divided his
landholdings among lesser lords or nobles. In exchange, these lesser lords, or
vassals, pledged service and loyalty to the King.

 It is Manorialism if it is only focused on the manor of the Lord, Knights, and

Peasants.

These knights follow a code of honor called the code of Chivalry. Each Knight is
expected to uphold this code and live its integrity and rules.
1. To fear God and maintain His Church
2. Avoid Cheating
3. To protect the weak and innocent
4. Exhibit self-discipline
5. To live by honor and for glory
6. Keep your promises
7. To despise financial reward (bribery)
8. To fight for the welfare of all
9. To obey those placed in authority
10. To respect the honor of women
11. At all times to speak the truth
12. Be polite and attentive
13. To avoid unfairness, meanness, and deceit
14. Education at that time was a privilege.
15. Very few people attended school in the Middle Ages. Most peasants learned their
job and how to survive from their parents. Some children learned a craft through
apprenticeship and the guild system. Wealthy children often learned through
tutors. While the poor died not even knowing how to write their names.