ByzantineCulture拜占庭文化.pptVIP

Byzantine Culture~ The Preservation of Greco-Roman Heritage Change (?) Revolution Spring Semester Mrs. Huff Overview of Today’s Presentation Introduction ~ Role of the Cyrillic Alphabet Art Architecture Spices Roman Law Causes of the Decline of the Byzantine Empire Introduction ~ The Cyrillic Alphabet Due to the location of Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire frequently had contact with its neighbors to the north and east. The people that lived there in central and eastern Europe were Slavic and did not have a written language. Two brothers, Cyril and Methodius, were missionaries that taught the Slavs to read and write by creating a new, “Cyrillic” alphabet. Cyrillic remains the foundation for the modern Russian alphabet. Cyril Methodius traveling to central and eastern Europe to spread the Christian word and teach the Slavs to read and write was an example of cultural diffusion. What aspects of Greco-Roman culture do you see in the Cyrillic alphabet? Modern Russian Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cyril Methodius converted many Slavs to Christianity. Descendents of these converts still follow the Eastern Orthodox faith. Cyril Methodius are recognized as saints today both by the Roman Catholic Church as well as the Eastern Orthodox Church. Byzantine Art Byzantine art was completely devoted to religion. Religious murals covered the walls and ceilings of churches, while mosaics covered the floors, walls and arches. The location of a person’s image indicated that person’s importance in church doctrine. Jesus always occupied the dome of the church Paintings and mosaics were used to create icons, or holy pictures that Byzantines revered. Byzantine art was a reaction to Greek art. Meaning, Byzantine art was not very realistic. It was stiff or artificial. This is because their goal was not to demonstrate realism, rather to inspire reverence and to emphasize the importance of renouncing pleasure in this life to prepare for the afterlife. Hagia Sophia ~ Church o