Thesis Statement
Constantinople was one of the most developed cities in the world and the largest in the XI century. The cultural traditions and customs impacted all the neighboring States, and, it is claimed that originally, the Byzantine culture was formed under the influence of the European countries; however, the Oriental variant is also not excluded.
Introduction
To begin with it is necessary to mention that the history of Constantinople is featured with numerous historical events, failures and successes, blooming and ruining. Originally, any foreigner could not feel as a stranger, as it was the capital, where foreigners all over Europe Middle East and Asia gathered. In order to define the image of the city, and simplify the task of defining the prevailing influence of the civilizations, it is necessary to give the brief historical description. Thus, Constantinople was the capital of Roman Empire (330–395), the Byzantine/Eastern Roman Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). It may be seen, that the prevailing period of its history, the empire was oriented at Europe, however, due to comfortable strategic location between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara at the point where East meets West (European and Asian continents are divided), it experienced the influence of several cultures: Muslim, European and Slavic, as merchants all over the Europe, Middle East and Slavic countries headed to Constantinople for rare goods and for beneficial trade. The diplomatic relations were extensively developed, and Byzantine Empire was constantly supporting or struggling against some neighboring States.
Byzantine Constantinople was the capital of Christian Empire – the successor of Greece and Rome, and it became the wealthiest and the largest city in the whole Europe. Thus, by the XI century the Constantinople had a population of between 500,000 and 800,000. As the city of numerous peoples, Constantinople had several names. Thus, Slavs called it Tsargrad (“The City of Emperors”), among Vikings it was known as Miklagard (The Great City), and the Greeks called it Polis.
Constantinople in the XI century
I witnessed that the XI century of Constantinople history is featured with the deep and strong friendship of the Byzantine Empire with Slavic peoples of Kievan Rus and Muscovy. In 980 the emperor Basil II got the unusual gift from tsar Vladimir of Kiev. Emphasizing the significance of their friendship, Vladimir presented 6000 Varangian warriors, which Basil used as the new bodyguard. These warriors were known for their ferocity, honor and loyalty. The traditions of this Varangian unit essentially influenced the Byzantine army traditions; however this influence was not essential enough. There is a story, closely linked with their loyalty, which impressed ev eryone in the empire. Thus, the witness told me the following: “They were dispersed in winter quarters in the Thracesian theme when one of their number attempted to violate a countrywoman, but in the struggle she seized his sword and killed him; instead of taking revenge, however, his comrades applauded her conduct, compensated her with all his possessions, and exposed his body without burial as if he had committed suicide”. However, in spite of the high level of mastery, loyalty and professionalism, I am sure, they were the Barbarians, and after the death of the emperor plundered the Emperor’s palace. This became one of the events which discredited their authority in the eyes of Byzantine society. Later, the Varangian guard became dominated by Anglo-Saxons, who made their own contribution to the war traditions of the Byzantine Empire.
As for the commercial life and the organization of the trade system at that period, I would like to mention that Eparch controls the majority of the trade organizations. The corporations headed by the Constantinople merchants are also supervised by the Eparch, and it regulates the matters of production prices, import and export. Each guild controls the monopoly which belongs to it, and the merchants are forbidden to belong to more than one guild. Undoubtedly, this scheme of trade was borrowed from Europe, as Muslims do not have such perfectly arranged trading scheme. The same should be said of the Slavs. There is extended trade in Kievan Rus, however, these are mainly separate craftsmen. As far as I can judge, this scheme will play the essential influence for the future trade and industry of the empire, as it will not be changed for several centuries.
As for the planning of the city and the everyday life, it is hardly to argue for me that the influence was only European. Originally, the planning is regarded to be European, but the commodities and the customs of the everyday life could be borrowed from the ancient Babylon. Anyway, most of the commodities were used in ancient Rome; consequently, it may be considered that the everyday life customs were borrowed from Rome. I witnessed Constantinople as the city with thousand churches, palaces and monsters. There are orphanages, hospitals and public baths are located in different parts of the city. This symbolizes the care of even the lowest stratum of the population and emphasizes the interest to the weakest and feeblest citizens. This principle of care could not be borrowed from Europe, as only Middle East is featured with the essential care of the feeble citizens and help for the poor.
The houses are equipped with water tanks, and the great importance is paid to hygiene. Later Johannsen (2002) will emphasize the following feature: The main road of the city had orientation from the East to the West and there was the market or “Foros”, in the centre of which was placed a pillar from porphyry, in the top of which was placed an oversized statue of the emperor Meghas Konstantinos. The head of statue was turned to the east and from this orientation emanates also his name as “Anthilion”.
Five centuries ago the city played the great role in the defense of the eastern regions of the Roman Empire against the barbarian warriors. However, the 18 meter tall walls are still kept in the perfect condition as the reminder of previous might of the city, and that it is still powerful the richest and the largest. The scholars will argue in the future, that these fortifications permitted the eastern States to develop calmly and unmolested while the Great Rome experienced destruction and collapse. So it is not Islamic cultures impacted the development of Constantinople, but it was Constantinople which helped those countries to save their culture and develop. However, this is the time when Constantinople is the gates of Christian Europe standing at the fore of Islamic influence in the times of wide spreading of Christianity and the rise of Islam.
Culture
Constantinople is regarded as the largest and the richest city of the Eastern Mediterranean. This position and status is formed largely of the comfortable strategic position, which helps to coordinate the routes, linking Aegean and Black seas. Philosophers all over the world in Europe and Asia claim that Constantinople will stay the Eastern capital of the world for the centuries, as it links cultural trends of all the civilizations. Like the trade routes have bound in a knot, the cultural traditions and inheritance linked in Constantinople.
The visitors and merchants are attracted by the beauty of the churches and monsters. Your faithful servant can spend hours, witnessing the sparkles of the sunlight dancing on the walls of Hagia Sophia, or the Church of Holy Wisdom. The Russian traveler Stephen of Novgorod will further write “As for St Sophia, the human mind can neither tell it nor make description of it.”
The cultural relations in the City were extensive and rich. Due to the presence of numerous peoples in Constantinople, the conflicts between nations can be solved on the streets of Constantinople. Numerous factors reflect these confrontations, which may originate from a very tiny thing. I noticed that residents dislike if they are called Greeks, and insist to be named Hellenes, as “Greeks” means pagans for them. Europeans call the Emperor “Greek king”, while the Byzantines used to call their ruler the emperor of Romans, as this title meant prestige and glory for their state.
The Byzantines in Constantinople are especially anxious with saving the books and manuscripts in their libraries. These are mainly Greek and Latin authors throughout a historic period when crisis and instability within those States reasoned their destruction and failure of that civilization in western Europe and north Africa. However, lots of refugees from the Apennines stayed in Constantinople and played an integral part in stimulating the development and preserving of the culture. Some historians will further claim that Renaissance originated in Constantinople, and the transition to modernization of life was also initiated with the help of Byzantine scientists and artists. However, the influence of West or any other part of the world can not be traced even now. The fact is that there are no parallels in the world culture with the XI century art of Constantinople. It is the outpost of the world culture in general, jointly with the unique features added by Byzantine artists.
The empire produces the gold coinage, which is spread all over Europe. On the one hand it is the tradition of the whole Europe and then the Middle East to mint gold coins, however, this tradition came from the Great Roman Empire and earlier civilizations.
The impact of Byzantine architecture and art may be traced in the works and buildings all over Europe. It is impossible to state definitely, whether Byzantine Empire influenced the European culture, or vice versa. However, the fact is that examples include St. Mark’s in Venice, the basilicas of Ravenna, and many churches throughout the Slavic East. Thus, the Holy Palace was the complicated style in general, and included several architecture tendencies. Every emperor, who ruled the Empire chose to make his own modifications and changes. There were innumerable rooms, temples, kiosks, libraries, barracks, offices, even prisons. All these is defended by tall walls and guarded by the imperial troops. There are lakes and gardens with different species of birds.
Those who were inside tell different stories. Some of them sound like a fairy tale, nevertheless, the European strive to comfort and luxury is obviously traced in the images, described by the storytellers: “The Ieron Palation is the residence of the ministers and foreign diplomats. The Hrysotriklinos is the room where the emperor accepted the delegates. The room has golden mosaics and polychrome paintings. There happen certain things that impressed the visitors. While the visitor approaches the emperor, the throne rises little by little and golden lions next to the throne, syart shaking their tail and to roar. In this room exist golden and silver trees, and on their branches, golden birds embellished with precious stones, diamonds and sapphires, sang.” In spite of the European feeling of the beauty, these decorations could be invented only in Asia, as Europeans are not so aware in mechanics, and they are not so professional in incrustation of the precious stone.
Future of Constantinople
In spite of the wealth of the Polis, it is forecasted that it will not be the capital of the world forever. The influence of the surrounding world will cause the conflict and probably the internal crisis in the Empire. Most evidently, it will be closely linked with the empowerment of the Christian traditions in the Byzantine Empire, while the Middle East Islamists will aim to conquer this territory. The Emperor Romanus will be captured, and the peace terms required by Alp Arslan will be not too excessive for the Emperor Romanus, and he will accept them. During these negotiations, the enemies will place their own candidate on the throne. Romanus will die of the tortures by new “emperor”, and Michael VII Ducas will refuse to accept the treaty. This would mean the new war, and the collapse of the old defensive system. The empire’s resources will appear to be distracted, and the new period, and the new influence will start.
Conclusion
Constantinople in the XI century is the city which experienced numerous cultural and not only cultural impacts. Originally, there are lots of discussions, aimed at defining which influence Constantinople did really experience, and most of them are undoubtedly right. It is necessary to mention, that this influence could not be restricted to some only direction, as Constantinople was the Gate between Asia and Europe, and it would historically incorrect to state, that the influence was only form Asia or only from Europe. This influence was all over, mostly mutual and extensive.
On the one hand the architecture was mostly influenced by Islamic culture, and the descriptions of the Emperor’s Palace remind the descriptions of the palaces from Oriental fairy tales. On the other hand lots o traditions were borrowed or inherited from Ancient Greece and the Great Roman Empire. The Byzantine people paid much attention to hygiene. This was attributed to western civilizations. The everyday customs, associated with meals, communication and leisure were also borrowed from Rome. The only exception is the absence of cruel entertainments like gladiator battles.
The trade system was entirely European, and these traditions originate from western Europe, as Middle East and Slavs did not have such developed merchant system and used outdated schemes for artisan production and trade.
References
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