Evolution of the Eastern Roman Empire to Byzantine Empire

Extract

[...] The icons of the monasteries attract the faithful who believe that the icon grants the prayer. Due to the success of the monastic icons, frontal images also appear in churches. This type of image appears in the context of the Bulgarian invasions with emperors who are unable to defend the populations. The Saint is visible, at human size on the relief, representing a protector of the city leaders (the population) and an intercessor mediator between the faithful and God). We start praying to the saint who is more accessible so that the saint then transmits the prayer to God. [...]

[...] Thus, the kings make more and more concessions in favor of the aristocrats to the detriment of the royal power. In 840, Louis the Pious dies, the situation is not for the time calmed down despite a new division. However, Lothair decides to take back the original partition of 817. Which makes the civil war continue between the sons among themselves with Louis and Charles against Lothair. - The Battle of Fontenoy (841) and the Partition of Verdun (843) June 25, 841: Fontenoy in Puisaye (Auxerre), won by the two younger brothers against Lothair. [...]

[...] Thus, there is no separation between religious and political power. II- The Carolingian Empire in Difficulty (814-855) Factors of weakening: civil wars between Carolingian kings (830's) + at the same time foreign raids (820's) from all sides. Leading to a decline in the legitimacy of the Carolingian dynasty. The Civil War (833-843) - 817 : Ordination imperii Louis Ier Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne, becomes king in 814 and is crowned emperor. Given that at the base he had to share with his two brothers on equal territories the title of king (without any of them being the title of emperor destined to disappear for Charlemagne) yet these two brothers die which makes Louis reign alone. [...]

[...] They established fortresses along the border entrances (allowing the population to take shelter as soon as the Arabs arrived). In addition to the fortresses, there are watchtowers that detect the arrival of horsemen and, through optical signals, they communicate the raid. And then, there is also the strategy of advancing the borders to develop a march. These soldiers stationed at the borders, the akrites gain prestige and imitate the ghazi to be able to beat them: they think, fight and act like the Arab conquerors. Finally, it's a zone where cultural exchanges have taken place. [...]

[...] In fact, Arabia is an active commercial center that is located on the major trade routes, both maritime and land (India/China/Egypt) with the Eastern Roman Empire and the Persian Empire. - A predominantly monotheistic world Political unification: appearances of states from the 4th century that have spread monotheism. - In the South: the powerful Himyar/Yemen in 380 which converted to Judaism then to Christianity in the 500's before disappearing in 570. - Centre = Kinda dominated by Judaism - In the North = Ghassanides, a tribal confederation led by a king who made agreements with the Byzantine Empire converted to Christianity + Lakhmides, converted to Christianity and most of the time fought the Persian Empire. [...]