The Early Middle Ages, 284-1000 - The Splendor of Byzantium

Explore the major trends in Byzantine history from the sixth to eleventh century in this 49-minute lecture by Professor Freedman from Yale University. Dive into four distinct periods of Byzantine history, starting with Justinian's rule and the Empire's expansion from 532-565. Learn about the subsequent century of crisis and contraction, followed by the reorganization of the Byzantine army and territorial regains from 717-843. Examine the Iconoclast controversy and its impact on the Empire. Finally, discover how the Byzantine Empire managed to expand further from 843 to 1071 after resolving religious conflicts. Gain insights into the Empire's strategies for survival, expansion, and contraction throughout these pivotal centuries.