Review Sessions

Four review sessions will be held on Monday 4 January, at TB 490. The schedule is as follows:
09.00-11.00
11.00-13.00
13.00-15.00
15.00-17.00
You are expected to attend any one of these sessions depending on your convenience. Attendance will be taken. You dont have to go to your own TAs session. TB490 is not a large room, therefore we recommend you to consider, if possible, the first and the last sessions, since at 11 and 13, you might not find a seat.

Medieval Near Eastern Societies

Non-Muslim Communities in the Early Islamic World

Ahl al-dhimma (“Protected People”): dhimmi
-obliged to pay poll tax (jizya) and land tax (kharaj)
-allowed to practice and organize own religion
-dhimmi women allowed to marry Muslim men (but not vice-versa); children would be Muslim
-conversion of Muslims not permitted
-allowed to hold positions in administration
-generally held to be inferior in social standing to Muslims

Who were the ahl al-dhimma?

Ahl al-kitab (“People of the Book”)
1. Jews (Banu Isra’il, Yahud)
-isra’iliyyat (stories about Hebrew prophets and Biblical figures)

2. Christians (Nasara / Nasrani: “from Nazareth”): Monophysites, Chalcedonians, Nestorians
-monasticism
-transmission of ancient Greek learning

Extension of ahl al-kitab (and dhimmi) status:
1. Zoroastrians (Majus – “Magians”)
-dualist religion
-written scriptures (Avesta)
2. Sabians (Sabi’un)
a. Judeo-Christian baptising sects esp. in Iraq
b. Pagan star-worshippers of Harran

Manicheaism (zandaqa; zindiq):
-not included among the ahl al-dhimma
-dualist teachings of 3rd c. prophet Mani
-zandaqa came to mean “heresy”
-repressed and persecuted



Page from a Qur’an manuscript, probably Iraq, 9th c., parchment
Kufic script

Translation movement:
-began under Abbasid caliph al-Mansur
-continued for some 200 years
-inspired by Sasanian imperial ideology
-Bayt al-hikma (“House of Wisdom”) in Baghdad
-initially translations from Pahlavi (Middle Persian)
-later translations from Greek

Subjects covered by the Translation Movement (750-950):
-Quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music)
-Entire field of Aristotelian philosophy
-metaphysics -ethics -logic -physics -zoology -botany
-Health sciences (medicine, pharmacology, veterinary science)
-Occult sciences: (magic, alchemy, astrology)

Revival of the Persian literary in the 10th c.:
Samanid dynasty (819-1005):
-Iranian aristocratic family
-establish a state in Eastern Iran and Central Asia

capital Bukhara
-active sponsorship of learning and New Persian literature (esp. poetry)
-translations from Arabic into Persian
-Shahnama (“Book of Kings”)
– Persian national epic of the pre-Islamic Iranian kings by the poet Firdawsi: highly influential text for later Iranian and Turkish societies.

Religious and Political Fragmentation in the Islamic World

Abbasid Revolution 749-50
Al-Andalus: first breakaway province: Umayyad state


Political fragmentation of the Islamic world in the 9th c.


Khariji movement:
-begins with opposition to ‘Ali regarding the decision to arbitrate over the punishment of ‘Uthman’s assassins
-responsible for the assassination of ‘Ali in 661
-first definite dissent and division in the Islamic community
(kharijis: “those who went out”)
-emphasis on egalitarian and morally puritannical leadership

Ibadi movement:
-later development from the Kharijis
-formed groups of opposition to the Abbasids in N. Africa among native Berber people
Rustamid dynasty (761-909)
-anti-Abbasid independent state
-conceived as a “correction” to past and present Islamic states

Sect: a dissenting or schismatic religious group, sometimes considered extreme or heretical by opponents… (sectarian, sectarianism)
Shi‘a: party or faction
Shi‘at ‘Ali: party (supporters) of ‘Ali and ‘Alids
Shi‘i: a member of Shi‘at ‘Ali
‘Alid: a descendent of ‘Ali


Genealogy of the Shi‘i imamate

Principles of the Shi‘i imamate as developed in the 8th c.:

-divinely-guided

-sovereign in religious and political terms

-keeper of authority and secret knowledge for the interpretation of the Qur’an, hadith, law

-free from sin and error (infallibility)

-explicity designated by his predecessor (nass)

-a necessary institution

Divisions within Shi’ism:

- “Fiver” / Zaydi
- “Sevener”/Isma‘ili
- “Twelver” / Imami


Fatimids:
-‘Ubayd Allah claims to be the manifestation (zuhur) of the Hidden Imam :took the title al-Mahdi
-909: Declaration of the Fatimid Caliphate (title: amir al-mu’minin) in N. Africa: ideological and military challenge to the Abbasids
-969: Conquest of Egypt

The Caliphate: From Medina to Damascus and Bagdad

Succession to the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (632)
—possible choices:
- ‘Ali (cousin and son-in-law) ?
-Ansar (supporters from Medina) ?
-Muhajirun (emigrants from Mecca) ?

The Rightly-Guided Caliphs (“Rashidun”):

Abu Bakr (632-34)
‘Umar (634-44)
‘Uthman (644-56)
‘Ali (656-61)

imam = supreme leader of the Muslim community (umma)
imama = supreme leadership, imamate

khalifa (“deputy”) = caliph
khilafa = caliphate
amir al-mu’minin (“commander of the faithful”) = caliph



misr / amsar (garrison town/s): Kufa, Basra, Fustat, Kairawan

diwan: register of Arab soldiers
sabiqa: social priority based on the time of conversion to Islam, used to determine salaries of soldiers, etc.

ahl al-dhimma: “protected people” (Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians) living in conquered lands
dhimmi: a member of the ahl al-dhimma
jizya: poll tax on dhimmis

mawla (pl. mawali): non-Arab (Muslim) clients of Arab tribes

First Civil War (656-661)

-Assassination of ‘Uthman after an uprising in Kufa (656)
-‘Ali became 4th caliph

-Unresolved issue of the punishment of ‘Uthman’s assassins fueled the First Civil War

- ‘Ali challenged by Mu’awiya (governor of Syria)

‘Ali agreed to arbitration on issue of punishment

- Assassination of ‘Ali (661); Mu’awiya became caliph



Mu’awiya:
-governor of Syria
-member of Banu Umayya clan
-became caliph in 661
-established the Umayyad Caliphate (661-750)




Umayyad Caliphate (661-750)
-capital: Damascus


‘Abd al-Malik (r. 685-705):

-ended the Second Civil War in 692 by force

-administrative reforms to create a centralized empire
-Arabic as official language

-monetary reforms

-establishment of a state with all necessary institutions



‘Abd al-Malik’s monetary reform:
-central issues
-standard weight
-inscriptions instead of images

Dinar (gold coin): 696-7
Dirham (silver coin): 698-9


Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem), built in 691-2 on the site of the old Jewish Temple (destroyed prior to Islam)




Caliph al-Walid I (r. 705-15)
Conquest of Central Asia
Conquest of Spain


Great Mosque of Damascus, begun 705/6 by Caliph al-Walid I (r. 705-15)

Problems faced by the Umayyads in the 8th c.:
1. Dissatisfaction of the Shi’is regarding the basis of Umayyad power (believed to be illegitimate)
2. Resentment against Syria from the provinces
Resentment against Arabs by non-Arabs

749: Abbasid Revolution (led by descendents of the Prophet’s uncle ‘Abbas)
750: Establishment of Abbasid Caliphate
-new capital established by caliph al- Mansur-- Baghdad

Religion in the Irano-Mediterranean World

Islamic World (“Dar al-Islam”) up to the 9th c.


Late Antiquity
3rd to 7th centuries:
Byzantine and Sasanian Empire


Christianity, 4th – 5th c.

-Debates over the true nature of Jesus Christ (Human? Divine? Both?)
-3 main Christological positions:

-Nestorian: Human nature
-Nestorian Church (Iraq, Iran and Asia)

-Monophysite: Divine nature
-Eastern Christian Churches [Armenian, Syrian, Coptic (Egyptian)]

-Chalcedonian: Both natures united in one person
-Orthodox Church (official church of the Byz. Empire)

Sasanian Empire: 221-651
-capital: Ctesiphon
-wars with Byzantine Empire: 602-28
Dualist religions (cosmic struggle between good and evil deities):

Zoroastrianism
-teachings of Zoroaster (11th c. BC)
-state religion of the Sasanian Empire
-Ahura Mazda (supreme god, principle of good)
-Ahriman (deity responsible for evil)

Manicheism
-teachings of Mani (3rd c.)
-universal message, drawing on Christianity, Zoroastrianism, etc.
-conflict between good and evil
-missionary activities in Iran, Central Asia and Inner Asia




•Arabian society in the 6th c.

-pastoralists
-agriculturalists
-merchants

•Tribal customs instead of government
•Arabic as common language


Mecca, 19th c. view of the Haram (“holy site”) with the Ka’ba in the center




Lineage of the Prophet Muhammad


Tribe: Quraysh
Clan: Banu Hashim
570: birth
610: first revelation

622: hijra (emigration) to Medina (Yathrib)
-emergence of the Muslim community (umma)
-Constitution of Medina
-struggles against Mecca (until 630)



Ka‘ba, Haram of Mecca

Revelation of the Qur’an, 610-632:
First Revelation:

Recite (iqra’): In the name of your Lord who created
Created mankind from a clot of blood.

Recite: And your Lord is most generous
He who instructed with the pen
Instructed mankind what he knew not.

(Opening verses of Chapter 96)
Q – R – ‘ (root)
 iqra‘ : recite, read (imperative)
 Qur’an : recitation

Central message of the Qur’an:

God (Allah):
-almighty, all-knowing, eternal, omnipresent Creator
-transcendent (no associates in any form)
-One (doctrine of tawhid: Unity of God)
-merciful and compassionate
Bismillah al-rahman al-rahim (basmala)

Film Screening 16 December Wednesday

On Wednesday, 16 December, we will screen Kingdom of Heaven, directed by Ridley Scott (2005), at GKM 17.00.

Feudalism in Japan

Until the 12th century, Japan was a monarchy with a civilian aristocracy. However, in the 12th century, a new warrior class, namely the samurai, emerged as a new political power so as to shape the medieval times in Japan until the Meiji Restoration of 1867.


This came about with the rise of land owners who had freedom from taxation called shoen and thus could deny government officials of agents entrance to their estates. The rise of the Shôen was directly related to the rise of the Japanese warrior. This meant the establishment of a system of parcellized power in the hands of a new warrior class which replaced the Heian aristocracy as the ruling class of the country and founded a feudal government, the Bakufu or the tent government without challenging the sanctity of the imperial throne. Ever since the abandonment of military conscription in 792 local governors and shoen managers relied upon their own military recruits selected form among local chieftains. These local chieftains formed lord and vassal relationships with the shoen managers.


At the center of the class of warriors termed as samurai meaning servant were the chieftains of the great clans of the Taira and Minamoto whose rivalry formed the drama of political history in the rise of a military society. Both clans were led by men of arictocratic origin or royal blood who were descendents from an offsrping of the imperial family made into separate families and settled in the countryside. Family and pride of ancestry were important elements of a warlike spirit anda tradition of loyalty. These were unruly storng men who were warlike and the cause of much internal dissent and chaos in the countryside.


The Emergence of the Warrior Class (Samurai):


* Decline of the central government

* Police and military power-->hands of the local magnates

* 792 necessary military forces by local governors


Establishment and Supremacy of the Taira clans:


* 1167 Kiyomori appointed to dajÙ daijin (chancellor) &virtual dictator

* Governorships of 30 provinces, over 500 shoen

* Commerce with Sung China &building the port of Hyogo

* Ruling through the imperial court in cooperation with the cloistered emperor

* If one is not a Taira, one is not a human being *

* The Tale of the Heike *


Establishment of Kamakura Bakufu
(Tent Government) 1185:


* Seated in Kamakura Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1185

* Removed all potential rivals: all the important members of the Taira family, his own brother Yoshitsune, his non-in law, half-brother Noriyori

* Obtained imperial sanctions for all his policies and decrees

* 1185 assumed the position of supreme constable and supreme land steward of all 66 provinces

* Proprietary rights over the lands her formerly held in Kantu region: appointed the governors from among his followers

* Acquired the lands formerly held by the Tairas (500 shoen)

* 1192 Yoritomo was appointed seiitaishÙgun (Supreme General): official military commander-in-chief


Bakufu (tent government)
administrative system:


* Not to replace the imperial government in Kyoto

* To manage the Minamoto family * affairs:


1) Office of Samurai:promotions and demotions fo the samurai

2) Administrative office:managed administrative, legislative, and lega affaires

3)Court of Appeals: judical bord to settle civil disputes --> employed members of the Kyoto aristocracy


“Feudalism” in Japan in summary:


* Reciprocal military obligations between warlords (shôgun) and vassals

* “On (favors)” and services (12th century)

* Authorized right of tax collecting

* Gradually acquired the authorities

* Emergence of a new landholding class and military leaders: daimyô (15th century)

* Baku-han system in Edo period (1603-1868)

* Daimyôs as vassals of shôgun

Medieval Europe: Towns and Urban Institutions

Medieval Crafts


San Gimignano

Medieval European Politics: Popes and Bishops

POPE
Definition: “Father” in Greek, or, Papa
Head of the Catholic Church, one of the oldest institutions on earth.
Ruler of the independent mini-state of the Vatican.
Apostolic succession: Vicar of St. Peter. Vicar of Christ. Roman Pontiff.
First used in A.D. 495.



Donation of Constantine


Election
Carried out by secret ballot by a full vote of the Sacred College of Cardinals.
Election takes place in the Sistine Chapel.
Cardinals meet in “conclave” (cum clavi)

Political Power of The Papacy
Excommunication
Anathema
Dogma


Emblem of The Papacy


Pentarchy
Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem
Council of Chalcedon (451)


The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
Primus Inter Pares in the Eastern Orthodox Faith
Seen by followers as the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church


Papal Infallibility
The Pope must be speaking as the Roman Pontiff that is the heir of St. Peter.
He must be speaking ex cathedra “that is in the discharge of his office as a shepherd and teacher of all Christians, and by virtue of his apostolic authority...”
He must clearly state that whoever opposes this ruling will be excommunicated.
He must be speaking of a matter of faith or morals.
His declaration must be made for the whole church.

Medieval European Politics: Kings and Vassals

Dynamics of Feudalism
Parcellization of sovereignty
Combination of jurisdiction with economic exploitation
Vassalage
Nature of the relationship of the producers to the means of production
Feudalism as the first mode of production to allow autonomous development of commodity production
Dynamic opposition of town and country
Contradiction at the summit of the feudal chain: Primus Inter Pares
The potential for centralization and decentralization




Roland pledges his fealty to Charlemagne

Cleric, Knight, Peasant
Serfs on land


Knight in Armour

Medieval Europe: Rural Society

FEUDALISM
A system of economic and social control of the instruments of production.
Developed in Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire in 495 A.D.
Völkerwanderung
The main source of all wealth was agriculture.
Serf/serfdom
Feudal lords (aristocracy)
Free peasants
Allodial holdings




Three Forms of Rent
Labour rent
Rent in produce (rent in kind)
Money rent






Coronation of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III

Objection Results

2008207138 63
2008209036 85
2008209042 74
2005600031 72
2008302018 81
2008208012 30

OBJECTION

Dear all,
Objection of the mid-term will be held in Cultural Heritage Museum (50 meters down the Female Dorm in the South Campus), 8 December Tuesday, 17.00.

MIDTERM MAKEUP GRADES

2008208120  80
2004101570  55
2003100583  52
2008208084  0
2006103085  58
2004104489  27
2002100307  70
2005104654  32
2008207036  56
2008208108  76
2007104213  56

MIDTERM GRADES

2008209087  81
2007100040  61
2008208015  80
2008208102  65
2008209081  79
2008205117  72
2008404165  85
2006100292  71
2008207099  83
2008208135  59
2007101096  40
2008208033  62
2007102401  79
2007100511  60
2005101171  84
2007102821 62
2006104972  68
2008209060  101
2007104393  96
2008208063  65
2009207081  69
2008207111  94
2007102074  76
2007104201  57
2008207096  87
2007100337  101
2008101012  83
2009207171  85
2007101774  79
2008110075  64
2007103376  51
2008207081  95
2008207039  87
2008207114  86
2008207087  89
2007200324  25
2008302225  72
2007100967  90
2008209075  72
2008110126  74
2008208045  94
2008302204  72
2008209006  86
2007100826  58
2008208000  56
2008207075  64
2008404060  88
2008208069  59
2008302216  68
2007200028  12
2007101021  91
2008302258  69
2008208060  77
2006104525  82
2008302039  28
2006102674  76
2008207060  77
2007102587  88
2008110129  71
2008208105  74
2007104378  59
2008207042  45
2008404033  93
2005101066  20
2008207138  63
2008209036  81
2007101939  42
2009208126  66
2005100451  77
2009302195  93
2008207069  73
2007100220  86
2007102071  67
2006103751  84
2008209042  71
2008207063  75
2008302240  82
2008207120  93
2007103430  27
2009402018  92
2008208024  63
2008207048  73
2008207051  87
2006100403  57
2008208057  63
2008208054  73
2004100301  72
2008207054  61
2008209069  50
2008209054  78
2008208087  61
2007103247  76
2008207129  67
2008208111  56
2008209117  65
2008207117  86
2008209114  76
2006104747  85
2007100457  74
2007103214  71
2008110063  86
2007101972  88
2005102338  41
2008208093  76
2007100373  27
2008302069  70
2009207075  56
2008209024  75
2005100553  55
2008207093  78
2006100934  71
2005600031  69
2009209081  90
2008207012  57
2008205096  76
2008302090  67
2006103031  89
2008209045  78
2006000097  39
2008207045  68
2008302018  76
2007100364  79
2008208012  29
2008110012  58
2008110006  48
2009302279  104
2008207078  72
2008302255  49
2008302042  65
2009207177  102
2008302036  70
2008207132  75
2008208048  74
2009302135  71
2008208042  71
2009302261  80
2008207033  53
2008207102  38
2008208006  79
2007102233  77
2006101120  57
2008207027  78
2008209027  78
2005100775  67
2008110069  60
2004200051  75
2008207126  50
2008207105  22
2009208042  91
2007102389  78
2008208009  71
2008207135  85
2008208126  47
2007104186  78
2008107063  73
2008208027  54
2009302267  88
8546203  83
2006104495  69
2006102329  70
2007102359  101
2008302144  75
2008208003  79
2008302066  98
2008302114  99
2009208141  93
2008207009  80
2008110153  88
2009208090  84
2008209078  77
2008207066  89
2008302237  71
2008110084  51
2009302297  101
2008209129  54
2008110027  73
2008302120  69
2008207108  81
2008404066  66
2008302075  73
2009207096  88
2008404012  34
2009302282  71
2005103286 53
2006102083  59
2006102602  68
2007101561  97
2008208018  93
2009208018  86
2008302174  61
9009690  75
2009302231  93
2008209000  57
2008209156  61
2008110114  70
2008110036  81
2008302138  68
2008207006  78
2007101705  54
2007100958  71
2008208039  69
2008207123  42
2008208096  68
2008208099  88
2008208066  60
2009690297  55
2006105077  68
2007104108  75
2008207024  86
2007102734  81
2004102527  46
2008402159  93
2008209132  45
2008302222  68
2009302150  94
2008110021  60
2007103925  69
2008404162  59
2008209099  85
2008207030  48
2009208051  90
2008110045  63
2008302126  84

Average: 71.18

THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE (330-1453) / NEVRA NECİPOĞLU

Outline (Lecture 1) 11.11.2009
The Byzantine Empire: from Constantine the Great to the Age of Justinian

1-Preliminary remarks about the Byzantine Empire, a bridge between Antiquity and the Middle Ages

2-Terminology: “Byzantine Empire” is a later term introduced by German humanists in the 16th cent. The Byzantines considered themselves “Romans” and called their state the “Empire of the Romans”

3-The age of Constantine the Great (r. 306/324-337):
- The foundation of Constantinople
- Nature and meaning of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity

4-Transformation of Christianity from a tolerated, legitimate religion into the official state religion between the reigns of Constantine I and Theodosius I – Co-existence of Christianity and paganism in the early Empire

5-Different balance of state-church relations in Byzantium and in medieval Europe

Vocabulary & Dates (Lecture 1)
Byzantine Empire (330-1453)
Byzantion
Konstantinoupolis = “Constantine’s city” = Constantinople
Emperor Constantine I (r. 306/324-337)
Foundation and dedication of Constantinople (330)
Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305)
Nikomedeia (mod. İzmit)
Edict of Milan (313)
Hagia Sophia / Hagia Eirene / church of the Holy Apostles
Acropolis / pagan temples dedicated to Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite etc.
Emperor Theodosius I (r. 379-395)
Emperor Julian the Apostate (r. 361-363)
sol invictus (“the invincible sun”, title used for the sun-god Apollo)
polytheism / monotheism
Patriarch of Constantinople
First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (325)



13.11.2009

Outline (Lecture 2)
Byzantine Society from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages

1-Byzantine imperial ideology & concept of imperial authority

2-The age of Justinian I (r. 527-565):
- Wars of reconquest in the West
- Codification of Roman law
- Hagia Sophia and other building projects
- Nika riot (532)
- Justinianic plague (542)

3-Consequences and aftermath of Justinian’s reign

4-The 7th-century transformation of Byzantium from a late antique into a medieval society

Vocabulary & Dates (Lecture 2)
Charlemagne
Justinian I (r. 527-565) / Theodora (Justinian’s wife)
Empress Irene (r. 797-802) / Empress Zoe (11th c.)
Tribonian
Corpus Juris Civilis (“Body of Civil Law”)=Justinian’s Code
Nika riot (532)
basilica vs. domed church
Sassanids of Persia
Emperor Heraclius (r. 610-641)
polis (“city”)
theme system (thema / pl. themata)


16.11.2009

Outline (Lecture 3)
From the Iconoclastic Controversy to the Great Schism: Christianity Divides

1-Period of Iconoclasm (726-843)

2-Conflicts with the Papacy:
- Pope’s coronation of Charlemagne as “Roman Emperor” (800)
- The Great Schism (1054)

3-The Macedonian dynasty (867-1059):
- Military victories (esp. against Arabs & Bulgars)
- Conversion of Russia and Serbia to Orthodox Christianity
- Growing power of the landowning military aristocracy, etc.


Vocabulary & Dates (Lecture 3)
Iconoclasm (726-843)
Emperor Leo III (r. 717-741)
icon / idolatry / iconoclast vs. iconodule (=iconophile)
Franks
Coronation of Charlemagne as Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III (800)
Great Schism (1054)
Macedonian dynasty (867-1059)
Emperor Basil II Bulgaroktonos (“Bulgar-slayer”)(r. 976-1025)
Baptism of Prince Vladimir of Kiev (988)
Cyril and Methodius




Outline (Lecture 4)18.11.2009
Byzantium from the age of the Crusades
to the Ottoman Conquest


1.New external challenges in the mid-11th century: Normans and Seljuks
2.Rise of the crusading movement
3.The Fourth Crusade and the Latin capture of Constantinople (1203/4)
4.Restoration of Constantinople to Byzantine rule (1261)
5.Byzantium as an Ottoman vassal (ca. 1371/2)
6.The fall of Constantinople (1453)
7.Concluding remarks

Vocabulary and Dates (Lecture 4)
Venice / Pisa / Genoa
kommerkion / commercium
Komnenian dynasty (1081-1185)
pronoia
Norman capture of Bari (1071)
Battle of Manzikert/Malazgirt (1071)
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081-1118)
First Crusade (1095-1098) / Pope Urban II
Anna Komnena’s Alexiad
Fourth Crusade (1203/4)
Latin Empire of Constantinople (1204-1261)
Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos (r. 1261-1282)
Palaiologan dynasty (1261-1453)
Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos (1391-1425)
Monastery of Chora (Kariye) / Theodore Metochites
Gennadios Scholarios, Greek Orthodox Patriarch under Mehmed II

Make-up

Dear all,
Make-up of the midterm exam will be held in Wednesday, 25 November 17.00, at M 2230. Please submit your medical reports and/or excuses before the exam by contacting your TA s.

Mid-Term Exam Places

17 November 17.00

NH301: Hist105.01, Hist105.02, Hist105.08, Hist105.11

NH302: Hist105.06, Hist105.09

NH303: Hist105.07, Hist105.10

NH305: Hist105.03, Hist105.04, Hist105.05, Hist105.12

Mid-Term Announcement

Mid-term questions will consist of what we have covered until the Byzantine lectures (last Wednesday)

Program Change

Dear all,
Your syllabus indicates that we have no class on this Wednesday (18 November). There is a change in the program, we will have a class on Wednesday but NO class on Friday (20 November). However make sure that there is NO change of program in discussion sessions. We meet at Kuzey Park next Friday as usual.

Religion in the Mediterranean World and The Rise of Christianity

Assos


Parthenon


The Greco-Roman Religion
Early religions based on ANIMISM
Development of anthropomorphic gods in Ancient Greece, with specific functions (Zeus, Hera, Athena...)
Adoption of these Gods by Roman people and translation of their names into Latin (Jupiter, Juno, Minerva...)
Religious practices: prayers, sacrifices, processions, oracles, votive inscriptions.
Religious buildings: temples (ex. Assos (6th BC), Parthenon (Athens)...)


Roman Temple

The Greco-Roman religion declined because:

-it was a state religion rather than a personal belief

-it did not propose any ethics

-it did not offer any hope after death




Mystery Cults

Mystery cults, offering some ethical principles and hope for resurrection. Ex: Orphic cult, Mithraism, Isis cult
Philosophical answers: quest for transcendancy, moral principles... ex.: Platonism and Neo-Platonism (3rd c. BC)



Isis


School of Athens (Raphael)



Dura-Europos Synagogue (Syria), 244 AD.

The first monotheism: Judaism
Born in Mesopotamia around 2000 BC (Abraham)
10 Commandments given by God to Moses > ethical basis
Construction of a kingdom with its capital and its temple in Jerusalem (Solomon)
Principles: - One God, all-powerful, all-knowing
- Israelites as the “chosen people”, who made a covenant with God

- waiting for the promised Land

Relationship with Romans: Judea became a Roman province.
Revolt in 66> in 70, the Temple was destroyed (cf. Arch of Titus in Rome)

Revolt, in 132 > begginings of the DIASPORA, central in Jewish religion











Arch of Titus in Rome: celebrating the destruction of the JewishTemple




The rise of Christianity

Jesus (4 BC- 30 AD) : born as a Jew, claimed himself the son of God (Messiah). Oppositions of the Jews and the Romans > Crucifixion
The teachings of Jesus:
- love of God and of his son, Jesus
- fraternity: love the other as yourself
-life after death: Heaven for the Good people

The spread of Christianity: role of Paul, addressing the Gentiles (i.e. the non Jewish people), stressing the universality of Christianity (no more circumcision but baptism). Journeys throughout the Mediterranean > the first missionary


Catacomb in Rome

Reasons for Christianity’s success:
-Embraced all people (men, women, slaves, poor, nobles)
-Gave hope to the powerless
-Offered personal relationship with a loving God
- Promised eternal life after death


Roman reactions:
persecutions (Nero in 65, Diocletian at the end of the 3d c.)
> Christianity as a secret cult with symbolism (ex. The fish, the pastor in the Catacombs (underground cemeteries) of Rome)
> martyrdom which enhanced the power of attraction of Christianity

Christianity as a state-religion (Byzantine Empire and Germanic kingdoms)


Escaping persecutions