The Division between Eastern and Western Christian Empires in the Early Medieval Period

Overview

In the early medieval period, contact between East and West could not be completely severed at an official level. However, Pope Leo III’s coronation of Charlemagne as emperor in 800 CE marked a significant challenge to Byzantine claims of Roman legatee status. This event led to growing divisions between the two states, each viewing the other with suspicion and hostility. The Byzantines indiscriminately referred to Westerners as ‘Franks’, reflecting their broader disinterest in distinguishing among western powers. Byzantium and the emerging Frankish state failed to cooperate effectively against common enemies like the Arabs, further straining relations.

Context

In the early Middle Ages, political fragmentation was a defining feature of Europe. The fall of Rome had left a power vacuum that various kingdoms sought to fill. Byzantine Constantinople maintained its claims as the rightful successor to Roman imperial authority and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the Frankish kingdom under Charlemagne began to assert itself in Western Europe. This period saw significant religious, political, and military tensions between these two centers of Christian power. The rise of Islam further complicated relations as both empires faced threats from Arab expansion.

Timeline

• 800 CE: Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne as emperor.
• 797 CE: Byzantine Empress Irene blinding her son, Emperor Constantine VI.
• 610 CE: Heraclius becomes Eastern Roman Emperor, initiating a new era in Byzantine history.
• 476 CE: Fall of the Western Roman Empire; beginning of the Early Middle Ages.
• 325 CE: First Council of Nicaea establishes Christian orthodoxy and uniformity.
• 1025 CE: Basil II’s military victories against Bulgaria consolidate Byzantine power.
• 962 CE: Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, emphasizing Saxon influence in Italy.

Key Terms and Concepts

Byzantine Empire: The continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire centered at Constantinople. It preserved much of Greek-Roman culture and law under Christian rule.

Papacy: Refers to the office held by the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), the leader of the Catholic Church, which played a significant role in Western European politics.

Charlemagne: King of the Franks from 768 to 814 CE; crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in 800 CE, marking the beginning of the Carolingian Empire.

Coronation: A religious ceremony where an individual is formally invested with royal power and status. In this context, it refers to the crowning of Charlemagne as emperor.

Emperor: Title given to rulers who claim supreme authority, often seen as a continuation or revival of Roman imperial tradition.

Byzantium: An alternative name for Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), emphasizing its role in preserving and extending Greco-Roman cultural traditions under Christian rule.

Key Figures and Groups

Pope Leo III (795-816 CE): Pope during the time of Charlemagne’s coronation, played a crucial role in legitimizing Carolingian power.

Charlemagne (Charles I) (742-814 CE): King of the Franks who was crowned emperor by Leo III; his reign marked significant territorial and cultural expansion.

Empress Irene (c. 752 – 803 CE): Byzantine empress known for her controversial methods, including blinding her son to secure power; her assumption of imperial titles challenged traditional gender roles.

Otto I (912-973 CE): Saxon king who became Holy Roman Emperor in 962 CE, symbolizing the rise of Germanic influence over Rome and Italy.

Mechanisms and Processes

-> Fall of Western Roman Empire -> Fragmentation of Europe -> Byzantine claim to Roman continuity -> Charlemagne’s coronation as emperor by Leo III -> Conflict with Byzantium over legitimacy -> Isolation and mistrust between Eastern and Western Christian empires

Deep Background

The period following the fall of the Western Roman Empire saw Europe divided into numerous small kingdoms. The Byzantine Empire, centered in Constantinople, maintained its claim to be the true successor to Rome. In contrast, Charlemagne’s Frankish kingdom began to assert itself in the West, with the papacy playing a crucial role in legitimizing his power. This was particularly evident when Leo III crowned Charlemagne as emperor in 800 CE. The Byzantines viewed this act as a direct challenge to their own imperial legitimacy and began referring to all Westerners indiscriminately as ‘Franks’. The political, religious, and military tensions between the two empires were exacerbated by overlapping territorial claims in Italy and mutual distrust over Arab threats.

Explanation and Importance

The coronation of Charlemagne in 800 CE marked a significant shift in power dynamics within Europe. By legitimizing Carolingian rule as imperial, the papacy challenged Byzantine claims to be the sole legitimate successors of Rome. This led to growing divisions between Eastern and Western Christian empires, each viewing the other with suspicion and hostility. The failure to cooperate against common enemies like the Arabs further strained relations, ultimately isolating both states from one another. These developments were crucial in shaping medieval European politics and setting the stage for future conflicts.

Comparative Insight

The rise of Charlemagne’s Frankish kingdom paralleled similar power shifts elsewhere in Europe. For example, the Saxon Ottonian dynasty also sought to assert its authority over Rome by crowning emperors starting from 962 CE. This reflects a broader trend of regional powers seeking imperial legitimacy and control over ecclesiastical leadership during this period.

Extended Analysis

Religious Legitimacy: The papacy’s role in crowning Charlemagne underscores the intertwined nature of religious and political authority in medieval Europe. By granting imperial status, the pope sought to strengthen Frankish power while also asserting its own influence.

Territorial Claims: Italy became a focal point for conflict between Byzantium and the Carolingian Empire due to overlapping territorial ambitions and cultural ties.

Cultural Continuity vs Innovation: The division between Eastern and Western empires reflects different approaches to preserving Roman traditions versus creating new forms of governance and culture in response to changing circumstances.

Quiz

Open Thinking Questions

• How might relations between Byzantium and the Carolingian Empire have been different if Leo III had not crowned Charlemagne?
• What role did religion play in shaping political alliances during this period?
• In what ways could cooperation between Eastern and Western empires have prevented future conflicts?

Conclusion

The coronation of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III in 800 CE represents a pivotal moment that exacerbated existing tensions between Byzantium and the Carolingian Empire. It marked the beginning of a prolonged era of suspicion and conflict, reflecting broader trends in medieval European politics centered around religious legitimacy and territorial claims.