Paige's+Byzantine+and+Muslim+Exhibit


 * The Byzantine Empire **

Although the Byzantine Empire was originally part of the eastern extension of the Roman Empire, it eventually grew its own strong, independent one. Emperor Constantine took the throne to rule the Roman Empire in AD 306. In AD 330, Emperor Constantine moved his capital to Byzantium in the stronger eastern territory. He renamed the city Constantinople. The early Byzantines of Constantinople worshipped at the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches and communicated in Greek. The Byzantine Empire gradually expanded to include Greece, Italy, Egypt, Syria, Northern Africa, and southern Spain. In 476, the western section of the Roman Empire fell. During the early era of the Byzantine Empire, the Byzantines were unsettled. The fear of vandals constantly struck North Africa, Spain and France. Barbarian attacks were also common. However, barbarians and vandals were not the only difficulties. Religious arguments, such as those concerning Monophysitism, arose throughout the empire. The arguments also began to threaten the positions of the emperors, and resulted in the schism of 1054. During this time, the Western Roman Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox church separated. Even though the Byzantine Empire faced challenges in its early years, it eventually blossomed into a place of many achievements. Constantinople, the capital, consisted of stadiums like Hippodrome, royal palaces, and churches like Hagia Sophia. Stores sold valuable items like Greek gold, spices, purple cloth and silk. Constantinople was home to people of many different cultures. Among those diverse peoples were Greeks, Serbs, Romans, Arabs, and Jews. Emperor Justinian wrote Justinian’s code, which explained the Roman laws the Byzantines were to follow. Mohammed, a highly respected prophet, began speaking to the Arabs about a religion later named Islam. Mohammed's followers were called "Muslims." The religion of Islam expanded, and many key parts of the religion were added. For example, the Five Pillars of Islam were composed. Muslims still follow these commandments today. A golden age came to the Byzantine Empire, which lasted until the 1000’s. The empire’s land was constantly conquered and regained. There were more religious arguments between the iconoclasts and the iconophiles. Emperor Leo III later made the use of icons illegal. Emperor Basil II made many contributins to the Byzantine Empire during his rule. The arts, such as poetry, mosaics, and paintings, flourished. However, the Byzantine Empire’s wealth and strength did not last. Constantinople experienced wars against Venice and crusaders. Later, the Turks attacked Constantinople, and it fell. Although the city had been conquered, the everlasting accomplishments remained.

 **The “Rosette Casket”**



The “Rosette Casket” is highly detailed with many intricate designs. It is a box with a pyramid lid. The long sides of the box feature three panels, while the short sides feature two. Cherubs with elegant scarves are printed onto each of the panels. The lid of the Rosette Casket features women doing a scarf dance to the accompaniment of drums and tambourines. The same characters are present on the casket’s back and right sides, and they are armed with spears, swords and shields. On the face of the lid, the cherubs are portrayed as mischievous characters. “Once cherub teases a pet panther held on a leash, a second one plays with a dog, while a third has fallen headlong into a wooden cup (2).” These caskets are valuable and stand as a symbol of the Byzantine Empire’s past.

 **Current Event** []

President George W. Bush declared the war concerning terrorism was a crusade. Research proves that the majority of Americans are Christians, and the majority of those in the Middle East are Muslim. President Bush planned to attack Iraq to prevent another terrorist attack on America. For the safety of America, Bush wants to transform the Middle East. This battle, with its thoughtless, impulsive actions, is similar to the Crusades of the Middle Ages.

** Works Cited **
1. Anonymous. "Is the war on terrorism really a Crusade?." //Arab American News//. 04 Jun. 2005: 13. //eLibrary//. Web. 5 Mar. 2011 2. "Byzantine Empire." //SIRS Discoverer//. 2006. Web. 5 Mar. 2011.

3. "The Casket of Byzantium: Casket With Warriors and Dancers." //The Metropolitan Museum//.
﻿ 2000. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. ﻿4. //Map of the Byzantine Empire.// Photograph. //SIRS Discoverer//. 2006. Web. 5 Mar. 2011. 5. Photograph. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. //The Metropolitan Museum of Art//. 2000. Web. 7   ﻿ Mar. 2011 **// Map //**