Christian Empire Vs Byzantine Empire Essay

471 Words1 Page

The Roman Empire lasted from 27 BCE to 476 CE but would later become divided into the Byzantine Empire to the different kingdoms in the west. While both originally came from the same empire, the Byzantine and West went on completely paths in their government, their relationship with the church and their wealth. For that reason the way that these two separate regions would have different views of each other. The people who lived in the Byzantine Empire would have viewed the Germans as being a puppet to the church, their rulers are weak and don’t have complete power, and were more primitive when it came to art and architecture. On the other hand, the Germans would have viewed the Byzantines as with the church, their leaders were strong and had power, and they were a head in art and architecture. These different views would because of …show more content…

While both the German West and the Byzantine Empire would be Christian either through eventual conversion or was Christian from the beginning, both empires had a different relationship with the Catholic Church. Since they both had a different relationship with the church it would affect the ways the Germans and the Byzantines would view each other. For example, after the fall of the Roman Empire, Gelasius told the Emperor of the time about how the Pope and the Emperor had power in separate spheres, the former being religious and the later being secular. “ You are also aware,dear son, that while you are permitted honorably to rule over humankind,yet in things divine you bow your head humbly before leaders of the clergy.”(Gelasius). However, during this same time in the Frankish Kingdom, the king,Clovis, converted to Christianity. When he converted to Christianity, it was met with huge celebration and

Open Document