HI101 Lecture : b Oct 23 - The Rise of the Third Power Block
Document Summary
The rise of the third power block: byzantium and islam. Long-term northward push by arab tribes (7th century) trying to break into mediterranean world. Various arab tribes would appear there and ppl of mecca would help resolve conflicts. Mohammed fled to medina, blocked their trade routes. The heraclian dynasty and the rise of the islamic empitre. New administrative units typically in east (anatolyia in east) Managed by strategos (general), who is extremely powerful. Troops can declare them emperor; problem for system a few times. Empire had melted down religious items; very poor. Population of egypt + syria in dissent with trinitarian christianity. Empire faces huge defeat, heraclius evacuates all troops, went home to constantinople. He fearful of the sea; empire kicked out of the holy land. All enemies get destroyed when they attack constantinople. Constantinople had greek fire and huge walls (717) second siege of constantinople. Byzantine east (palestine + syria) had weak frontiers, because they had been focused on.
