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395
The division of the Roman Empire
The emperor Theodosius divided the Roman Empire into two parts because it was difficult to have much territory: the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire (known later as Byzantine Empire) -
Period: 395 to 1453
The Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine emperor was also called Basileus.
Economy: landowning and high taxes, based in Latifundia. Trade was also important.
Culture: a combination of Roman empire, Greek empire and Eastern elements.
Language: greek, but later it was changed into latin.
Alphabet: Cyrillic from slavs.
Legal code: Codex Justinianus
Religion: orthodox. The emperor is the Protector of the christians -
Period: 600 to 1492
The Muslim Empire
Politics: rapid expansion
Spread by four main Caliphs: Muhammed's family, Umayyad dynasty, Abbasid dynasty and Ali.
Society: divided into Landowning, Peasants and Slaves
Culture: geometric design, no human figures. Muslim art adopted from other cultures, such as Rome, Byzantine and the East.
Inventions: the arabic numbers, paper, the compass...
Religion: they have the Koran holy book and believe in Allah. They have to pray 5 times a day and can not consume pork or alcohol -
Period: 800 to 968
Carolingian Empire
Charlemagne became the first emperor helping the Pope to conquer Lombardy. He wanted to rebuild the Roman Empire. The death of Charlemagne caused a civil war among his sons.
Holly Roman Empire: Otto I brought back Charlemagne's ideas 150 years later.