Chapter 10: Worlds of Christendom

Summary

This video explores the history of Christianity from 500 to 1300, focusing on the contraction and expansion of Christendom. It highlights the rise of Islam and its impact on Christian communities in Asia and Africa, as well as the unique development of Christianity in places like Ethiopia and Byzantium. The video also examines the Great Schism between Eastern and Western Christianity, the role of the Byzantine Empire, and the influence of Christianity in Europe, particularly in relation to feudalism, trade, and the Crusades, setting the stage for future European expansion.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Christianity originated in Southwest Asia and spread both eastward and westward, but saw significant decline outside of Europe during the period of 500-1300.
• 🕌 The rise of Islam impacted Christian communities in the Middle East, with different Muslim rulers treating Christians in various ways. Some communities like the Nestorian Church adapted to Islamic rule.
• 🇨🇳 In China, the Nestorian Church survived for a period by integrating into Chinese culture until a crackdown on foreign religions in the 9th century.
• 🐫 The Mongols were generally tolerant of different religions, including Christianity, with some converting and others preferring it to Buddhism or Islam.
• 🌍 Christianity in Africa, especially in Egypt and Nubia, faced dramatic decline due to Islamic expansion and Arab migration, though it persisted in Ethiopia.
• 🏛️ Byzantium, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, carried on Roman traditions, maintained wealth through trade, and sustained itself for centuries despite internal and external military pressures.
• 🔔 The Great Schism of 1054 solidified the divide between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in Byzantium, deepening theological and political conflicts.
• ⚔️ The Crusades, beginning in 1095, exacerbated tensions between Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, as well as Muslims, with the Fourth Crusade leading to the sacking of Constantinople.
• 🛠️ Western Europe, though initially backward compared to Byzantium and the Islamic world, experienced significant growth during the High Middle Ages due to agricultural advancements and revived trade.
• 📚 Contact with Byzantine and Islamic knowledge during the Crusades spurred the growth of European intellectual activity, laying the groundwork for the later Renaissance.

Q & A

What were the regions outside of Europe that initially followed the teachings of Jesus?

Christianity initially spread to regions outside of Europe, such as Southwest Asia, Syria, Iraq, Persia, China, Egypt, and Nubia.

How did the rise of Islam affect Christian communities in the Middle East?

The rise of Islam led to the decline of some Christian communities, especially in the Arabian Peninsula. However, the treatment of Christians varied, depending on the attitude of local Muslim rulers.

What adaptations did the Nestorian Christians make to survive in the Islamic world?

Nestorian Christians avoided preaching to Muslims and abandoned sacred images that were considered offensive under Islamic rules. They also adapted to local cultures, as in China where they used familiar terms to communicate the message of Jesus.

How did Christianity fare in Egypt and Nubia during this period?

In Egypt, Coptic Christians were tolerated by Arab rulers until the mid-14th century, while Nubian Christianity flourished for 600 years but eventually declined due to Islamic pressure, conversion, and Arab migration.

What factors contributed to the survival of Christianity in Ethiopia?

Christianity in Ethiopia survived due to its geographic isolation, the protection of local rulers, and the historic Ethiopian sheltering of Muslim refugees during the Prophet Muhammad's lifetime.

How did the Byzantine Empire manage to sustain itself despite constant military assaults?

The Byzantine Empire had a strong administration, wealth, and technological advantages like Greek fire. It also centralized political and religious power under the Emperor, who controlled both the state and the church.

What caused the schism between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches?

The Great Schism of 1054 occurred due to theological disagreements, the authority of the Pope, and tensions between Eastern and Western Christianity, culminating in mutual excommunication between the churches.

What role did trade and wealth play in the Byzantine Empire's stability?

The Byzantine Empire’s position along key trade routes between East and West made it extremely wealthy. Its currency was widely used, and the empire’s access to silk and luxury goods contributed to its economic power.

How did Prince Vladimir of Kiev decide on Orthodox Christianity as the religion for his state?

Prince Vladimir of Kiev chose Orthodox Christianity because of the wealth and power of the Byzantine state and his desire for a marriage alliance. He also rejected Islam due to its prohibition of alcohol, which was important to his people.

How did the Crusades impact the relationship between the Byzantine Empire and Western Europe?

The Crusades worsened relations between the Byzantine Empire and Western Europe, particularly after the Fourth Crusade, where Catholic knights sacked Constantinople in 1204. This deepened the divide between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.