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The conventional commencement of the Eastern Roman Empire is marked by the dedication of Constantinople as the 'New Rome' by Emperor Constantine the Great in 330 AD.
Answer: True
The founding of Constantinople in 330 AD by Emperor Constantine the Great is widely regarded as the conventional starting point for the Eastern Roman Empire, establishing a new imperial capital.
The term 'Byzantine Empire' was the official name used by the inhabitants of the Eastern Roman Empire throughout its history.
Answer: False
The inhabitants of the Eastern Roman Empire consistently referred to themselves as Romans. The term 'Byzantine Empire' is a historiographical convention adopted much later to distinguish this distinct phase of Roman history.
Hereditary succession was a strict and inviolable rule for selecting Byzantine emperors.
Answer: False
While hereditary succession was a strong custom and often provided legitimacy, it was not a strict or inviolable rule. The principle of 'career open to talents' theoretically allowed individuals of non-aristocratic birth to attain the throne.
Emperor Julian, known as 'the Apostate,' actively promoted Christianity and convened the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea.
Answer: False
Emperor Julian, known as 'the Apostate,' actively opposed Christianity and attempted to revive traditional Roman religious practices. The First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea was convened by Emperor Constantine I.
The Roman Empire was permanently divided into Eastern and Western administrations following the death of Emperor Theodosius I in 395 AD, who bequeathed it to his sons Arcadius and Honorius.
Answer: True
The death of Emperor Theodosius I in 395 AD marked the permanent administrative division of the Roman Empire between his sons, Arcadius (East) and Honorius (West), solidifying the separation of the two administrative halves.
The Theodosian Walls were constructed to protect the city of Rome from barbarian invasions.
Answer: False
The Theodosian Walls were formidable fortifications built to protect Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, not Rome.
Which emperor is credited with the refoundation of Byzantium as Constantinople in 330 AD, thereby establishing it as the 'New Rome' and a pivotal administrative center for the nascent Eastern Roman Empire?
Answer: Constantine I
Constantine I is credited with rebuilding Byzantium into Constantinople in 330 AD, establishing it as the 'New Rome' and a new center of power for the Eastern Roman Empire.
Modern historians distinguish the later phase of the Roman Empire as the 'Byzantine Empire' primarily due to which of the following factors?
Answer: The imperial seat moving to Constantinople, the integration of Christianity, and the predominance of Greek language.
The shift of the imperial seat to Constantinople, the pervasive influence of Christianity, and the ascendancy of the Greek language are key factors differentiating the Byzantine Empire from its earlier Roman predecessor.
What does the notation '(#' followed by a letter, such as '#c', signify concerning the legitimacy of Byzantine emperors?
Answer: It signifies ambiguous legitimacy, often applying to figures who ruled briefly or whose authority was contested.
The notation '(#' followed by a letter (e.g., #c) denotes ambiguous or contested legitimacy, typically applied to imperial figures who held power transiently or whose authority was not universally recognized.
Emperor Julian is known as 'the Apostate' because he:
Answer: Actively opposed Christianity and attempted to revive traditional Roman religious practices.
Julian earned the epithet 'the Apostate' due to his deliberate opposition to Christianity and his efforts to reinstate pagan Roman religious traditions during his reign.
The permanent division of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western administrations occurred after the death of which emperor?
Answer: Theodosius I
The permanent division of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western administrative spheres occurred following the death of Emperor Theodosius I in 395 AD.
Which of the following was a key achievement during the reign of Theodosius II?
Answer: The construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople and the compilation of the Theodosian Code.
The reign of Theodosius II is notable for the construction of the formidable Theodosian Walls and the compilation of the comprehensive Theodosian Code, a significant legal achievement.
Leo I was the first Byzantine emperor to be crowned by the Pope in Rome.
Answer: False
Leo I was the first Byzantine emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople, not the Pope in Rome. This marked a shift in imperial coronation practices.
Zeno's policy of enticing the Ostrogoths to Italy helped reduce their threat to the Eastern Empire's resources.
Answer: True
Emperor Zeno encouraged the Ostrogoths, led by Theodoric, to migrate to Italy. This policy effectively removed them as a direct threat to the Eastern Empire and resolved the issue of their presence within imperial territories.
Emperor Justinian I is primarily known for his military campaigns that reconquered North Africa and Italy.
Answer: True
Justinian I's reign was significantly defined by ambitious military campaigns aimed at reconquering lost Western Roman territories, including North Africa from the Vandals and Italy from the Ostrogoths.
The Corpus Juris Civilis was a collection of philosophical texts compiled during Justinian I's reign.
Answer: False
The Corpus Juris Civilis, a monumental compilation of Roman law, was a legal codification, not a collection of philosophical texts, and is attributed to the reign of Justinian I.
Maurice, a general of Cappadocian origin, was known for his military treatise called the 'Strategikon.'
Answer: True
Emperor Maurice, who hailed from Cappadocia, made significant contributions to military theory, most notably through his influential treatise, the 'Strategikon.'
Emperor Leo I holds significance as the first Byzantine emperor to receive his coronation from which ecclesiastical authority?
Answer: The Patriarch of Constantinople
Leo I was the first Byzantine emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople, signifying a shift in the relationship between imperial authority and the Church.
Emperor Zeno implemented a policy regarding the Ostrogoths that involved:
Answer: Enticing them to migrate to Italy.
Zeno's policy involved enticing the Ostrogoths, led by Theodoric, to migrate into Italy, thereby resolving their presence as a threat to the Eastern Empire.
The Corpus Juris Civilis, a major legal compilation influencing European law, is attributed to the reign of which emperor?
Answer: Justinian I
The monumental legal compilation known as the Corpus Juris Civilis is a primary achievement attributed to the reign of Emperor Justinian I.
What was the primary objective of the major military expedition Leo I supported against the Vandals in 468 AD?
Answer: To recover Carthage, which had been seized by the Vandals.
The large-scale expedition supported by Leo I against the Vandals in 468 AD aimed primarily at the recovery of Carthage and its surrounding territories.
Emperor Maurice is remembered for his contributions to military theory, particularly through his treatise known as the:
Answer: Strategikon
Emperor Maurice, a general of Cappadocian origin, is recognized for his significant work on military strategy and tactics, documented in his treatise titled the 'Strategikon.'
Heraclius successfully prevented the Arab conquests during his reign, preserving Byzantine territories in the East.
Answer: False
Although Emperor Heraclius achieved a significant victory against the Sassanid Persians, his reign was ultimately unable to prevent the initial wave of Arab conquests, which led to the loss of substantial Byzantine territories in the East.
Constans II moved his imperial court to Rome to strengthen ties with the Western Church.
Answer: False
Constans II relocated his imperial court to Syracuse, Sicily, primarily to oversee military campaigns in Italy and the Mediterranean, not to strengthen ties with the Western Church in Rome.
The Third Council of Constantinople, convened by Constantine IV, condemned the heresy of Iconoclasm.
Answer: False
The Third Council of Constantinople, convened under Constantine IV, condemned the heresy of Monothelitism. Iconoclasm was later addressed by subsequent councils, notably the Second Council of Nicaea.
Justinian II, nicknamed 'Rhinotmetus,' was exiled after his nose was cut off but never managed to regain the throne.
Answer: False
Justinian II, known as 'Rhinotmetus,' was indeed exiled after his nose was cut off, but he successfully managed to regain the imperial throne with foreign assistance, ruling for a second term.
Leo III the Isaurian initiated the Byzantine Iconoclasm and successfully defended Constantinople against a major Arab siege.
Answer: True
Leo III the Isaurian is credited with initiating the policy of Byzantine Iconoclasm and is also celebrated for his pivotal role in repelling the formidable Second Arab Siege of Constantinople.
The Second Arab Siege of Constantinople (717-718 AD) resulted in a decisive victory for the Umayyad Caliphate, leading to their expansion into Southeastern Europe.
Answer: False
The Second Arab Siege of Constantinople concluded with a decisive Byzantine victory, effectively halting the westward expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate into Southeastern Europe.
Empress Irene of Athens convened the Second Council of Nicaea, which restored the veneration of icons.
Answer: True
Empress Irene of Athens played a crucial role in convening the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD, which officially condemned iconoclasm and reinstated the veneration of religious icons.
Despite achieving a successful conclusion to the Byzantine-Sassanid War, Emperor Heraclius ultimately proved unable to forestall the emergence of which significant subsequent geopolitical threat?
Answer: The Arab conquests.
Although Emperor Heraclius concluded the Byzantine-Sassanid War victoriously, his reign was ultimately unable to prevent the subsequent rapid expansion of the Arab Caliphate.
Constans II moved his imperial court to Syracuse, Sicily, primarily with the intention of:
Answer: Liberating Italy from the Lombards.
Constans II relocated his court to Syracuse to personally direct military efforts aimed at expelling the Lombards from Italy, although this move generated opposition in Constantinople.
The heresy of Monothelitism was condemned during the reign of which emperor at the Third Council of Constantinople?
Answer: Constantine IV
The Third Council of Constantinople, convened under Emperor Constantine IV, officially condemned the theological doctrine of Monothelitism.
Following his initial deposition and mutilation (nose cut off), Justinian II managed to regain the throne with the help of:
Answer: Foreign support.
Justinian II, after being exiled and mutilated, successfully regained the throne through the crucial assistance of foreign allies, notably the Khazars and Bulgars.
Leo III the Isaurian is known for initiating which major religious controversy within the Byzantine Empire?
Answer: Iconoclasm
Leo III the Isaurian initiated the period of Byzantine Iconoclasm, a significant religious and political controversy concerning the veneration of religious images.
The successful repulsion of the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople by Leo III was crucial in:
Answer: Halting the westward expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate into Southeastern Europe.
The decisive Byzantine victory against the Umayyad Caliphate during the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople was instrumental in halting the Caliphate's westward territorial expansion into Europe.
Empress Irene of Athens convened which significant council that restored the veneration of religious icons?
Answer: The Second Council of Nicaea
Empress Irene of Athens presided over the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD, which officially reversed the policy of iconoclasm and reinstated the veneration of religious icons.
The 'Macedonian Renaissance' refers to a period of decline and cultural stagnation during the Macedonian dynasty's rule.
Answer: False
The 'Macedonian Renaissance' denotes a period of significant cultural and intellectual revival, characterized by a flourishing of arts, literature, and classical learning during the Macedonian dynasty's reign.
Basil II earned the nickname 'the Bulgar-slayer' for his diplomatic efforts to peacefully integrate Bulgaria into the empire.
Answer: False
Basil II acquired the moniker 'the Bulgar-slayer' due to his relentless and ultimately successful military campaigns that led to the complete conquest of Bulgaria by 1018 AD, not through diplomatic means.
The 'Macedonian Renaissance' is associated with a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing, particularly under which emperor?
Answer: Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus
The 'Macedonian Renaissance,' a period of significant cultural revival, is particularly associated with the patronage and scholarly activities during the reign of Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus.
Basil II earned the fearsome nickname 'the Bulgar-slayer' due to:
Answer: His successful military campaigns leading to the conquest of Bulgaria.
Basil II's epithet 'the Bulgar-slayer' derives from his protracted and ultimately decisive military campaigns that resulted in the complete subjugation of the Bulgarian Empire.
The Great Schism of 1054 AD, occurring during the reign of Constantine IX Monomachos, marked the reunification of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
Answer: False
The Great Schism of 1054 AD, which occurred during Constantine IX Monomachos's reign, formalized the permanent split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, rather than their reunification.
The Battle of Manzikert in 1071 AD, during Romanos IV Diogenes's reign, resulted in a Byzantine victory that secured Anatolia against Seljuk expansion.
Answer: False
The Battle of Manzikert in 1071 AD, under Romanos IV Diogenes, was a catastrophic Byzantine defeat that led to the capture of the emperor and facilitated significant Seljuk expansion into Anatolia.
Alexios I Komnenos successfully prevented the First Crusade from passing through Byzantine territory.
Answer: False
Alexios I Komnenos did not prevent the First Crusade; instead, he managed their passage through Byzantine lands, securing oaths of fealty while navigating the complex relationship between the empire and the crusading armies.
John II Komnenos, known as 'John the Good,' focused his reign on expanding the empire's territory through military campaigns.
Answer: True
John II Komnenos, revered as 'John the Good,' dedicated his reign to consolidating and expanding Byzantine influence through diligent military campaigns and administrative reforms, primarily against the Seljuk Turks.
Andronikos I Komnenos was overthrown and later peacefully retired to a monastery.
Answer: False
Andronikos I Komnenos was violently overthrown and met a brutal end, being tortured, mutilated, and dismembered alive by a mob, rather than retiring peacefully.
The Great Schism of 1054 AD, occurring during the reign of Constantine IX Monomachos, resulted in:
Answer: The formal split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
The Great Schism of 1054 AD marked the definitive and formal separation between the Eastern Orthodox Church, centered in Constantinople, and the Roman Catholic Church, centered in Rome.
The Battle of Manzikert in 1071 AD, a major military defeat for the Byzantine Empire, occurred during the reign of which emperor?
Answer: Romanos IV Diogenes
The disastrous Battle of Manzikert in 1071 AD, which resulted in a severe Byzantine defeat and the capture of the emperor, took place during the reign of Romanos IV Diogenes.
Alexios I Komnenos's reign coincided with the arrival of the First Crusade. How did he primarily interact with the Crusaders?
Answer: He secured oaths of fealty and managed their passage through Byzantine territory.
Alexios I Komnenos skillfully managed the arrival of the First Crusade by securing oaths of fealty from the leaders and facilitating their passage through Byzantine lands, while also seeking to regain lost territories.
John II Komnenos, known as 'John the Good,' was renowned for his rule being:
Answer: Frugal, pious, and focused on military consolidation.
John II Komnenos, known as 'John the Good,' cultivated a reputation for piety, frugality, and a steadfast focus on consolidating imperial power through military means and administrative stability.
Andronikos I Komnenos met his end after being overthrown and subsequently:
Answer: Being tortured, mutilated, and dismembered alive by a mob.
Andronikos I Komnenos was violently overthrown and met a horrific end, suffering torture, mutilation, and dismemberment at the hands of an enraged populace.
The sack of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade in 1204 AD led to the establishment of the Latin Empire and the fragmentation of Byzantine territories.
Answer: True
The catastrophic sack of Constantinople in 1204 AD by the Fourth Crusade resulted in the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire and the creation of the Latin Empire, fragmenting its former territories.
The emperors of the Laskaris dynasty ruled from Constantinople after recapturing it from the Crusaders.
Answer: False
The emperors of the Laskaris dynasty established and ruled the Empire of Nicaea, a successor state, from Nicaea, not Constantinople, as they were in exile following the Latin conquest.
Michael VIII Palaiologos is credited with recapturing Constantinople in 1261 AD, restoring the Byzantine Empire.
Answer: True
Michael VIII Palaiologos led the forces that recaptured Constantinople from the Latin Empire in 1261 AD, thereby restoring the Byzantine Empire and initiating the Palaiologan dynasty.
The capture and sack of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade in 1204 AD led directly to the establishment of which entity?
Answer: The Latin Empire
The Fourth Crusade's conquest and sack of Constantinople in 1204 AD resulted in the establishment of the Latin Empire, a Frankish state ruling over former Byzantine territories.
The emperors of the Laskaris dynasty are recognized as legitimate Byzantine emperors because they:
Answer: Maintained the imperial administration and traditions while ruling from Nicaea.
The Laskaris dynasty, ruling from Nicaea, is considered legitimate as they preserved Byzantine administrative structures and imperial traditions during the period of Latin occupation.
Who was the Byzantine emperor responsible for recapturing Constantinople in 1261 AD, thereby restoring the Byzantine Empire?
Answer: Michael VIII Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos led the successful campaign to recapture Constantinople in 1261 AD, effectively restoring the Byzantine Empire after its fragmentation.
John V Palaiologos sought aid against the Ottomans by converting to Islam and seeking alliance with the Mamluks.
Answer: False
John V Palaiologos sought aid against the Ottomans by traveling to Rome and converting to Catholicism, hoping to secure Western military support, not by converting to Islam.
Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Byzantine Emperor, died defending Constantinople during its final siege by the Ottoman Empire.
Answer: True
Constantine XI Palaiologos, the final Byzantine Emperor, perished heroically in battle while defending Constantinople during the Ottoman siege in 1453 AD.
Facing Ottoman pressure, John V Palaiologos undertook a desperate measure by traveling to which city to seek military aid through conversion?
Answer: Rome
In a bid to secure Western military assistance against the encroaching Ottomans, John V Palaiologos traveled to Rome and converted to Catholicism.
What unpopular religious decision did John VIII Palaiologos make in 1439 that aimed to reunite the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches?
Answer: He ratified the Union of the Churches at the Council of Florence.
John VIII Palaiologos ratified the Union of the Churches at the Council of Florence in 1439, a move intended to reconcile the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches but met with significant opposition within the Byzantine populace.
Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Byzantine Emperor, died defending Constantinople during its final siege by the Ottoman Empire.
Answer: True
Constantine XI Palaiologos, the final Byzantine Emperor, perished in combat during the Ottoman siege of Constantinople in 1453 AD, symbolizing the empire's ultimate fall.