byzantine empire vs. medieval western europe
Byzantine Empire when empire was attacked by muslims, many Christians adopted Muslim faith ruled by an emperor Eastern Orthodoxy Church center of trade (part of silk road and connected Europe to the rest of the world) Patriarch was the religous leader land was united under one rule but church was weak greek was the main language Both muslims conquered part of it suffered from a bubonic plague known as "the plague of Justinian" both were origanally part of the roman empire Christianity greatly influenced both argued about religous beliefs and practices Medieval Western Europe contained many small commuinties ruled by local lords in order to protect against raids (no single ruler over vast land) raided by vikings Catholic Church