EU Institutions and Byzantine Empire History Summary

Key European Union Institutions

• European Council

  Composed of the heads of state or government of EU member states. It identifies priorities and decides the general EU's political agenda.

• Council of the EU

  Made up of ministers from each EU country, corresponding to the matters being dealt with (e.g., environment, health). It passes European laws and budgets and coordinates economic and security policy.

• European Parliament

  Composed of representatives elected by the citizens from each EU country.

• European Commission

  Composed of a President and 28 Commissioners.

• Court of Justice of the EU

  Ensures EU law is applied the same way in every EU country.

• European Central Bank

  Manages the euro and EU monetary policy and keeps prices stable.

• European Court of Auditors

  Checks that EU funds are used correctly and helps improve EU financial management.

Byzantine Empire Challenges and Fall

After Justinian’s conquest, the Byzantine Empire faced numerous threats. In the 5^th century, the Slavs, the Avars, and the Bulgarians attempted to conquer Constantinople, but they were repelled by the Byzantines.

Between the 6^th and 7^th centuries, the Byzantines fought a long and exhausting war against the Persians. Although the Byzantines won, they ended the conflict significantly weakened.

In the 7^th century, the Arabs took advantage of this situation and tried to conquer both empires. They only managed to conquer the Persian Empire; Byzantium fought and defended itself. The Arabs would attempt to conquer Constantinople many times, but the city survived thanks to its powerful defenses.

In the 13^th century, during the Fourth Crusade, western crusaders diverted to Constantinople instead of the Holy Land. They invaded the city and looted extensively. They removed the emperor and installed a ruler from the West, beginning to call the Byzantine Empire the Latin Empire. Soon after, Byzantium was restored but never regained its former splendor. Following this event, trust between the West and the East was lost.

In the 15^th century, the Turks finally managed to conquer the city. They expelled the citizens and populated the territory with their own people. Constantinople fell in 1453.

Consequences of the Fall

The fall of Constantinople was a shock in the West, often seen as the end of Christianity. For many historians, it marks the end of the Middle Ages. The Turkish control of the city blocked trade between Europe and Asia, prompting the Spanish and Portuguese to seek alternative routes to reach India.

City Name Evolution

Over time, Byzantium changed its name multiple times:

• During the Eastern Roman Empire, it was called Byzantium.
• During the Byzantine Empire, it was called Constantinople.
• When conquered by the Turks, it changed its name again to Istanbul.