Introduction: Use this source packet to respond to the question, “How and
why are civilizations influenced by past civilizations?” The sources were
selected to demonstrate how religious practices, languages, and
architectural styles of a civilization affect other civilizations. Sources A and B
can be studied to better understand how religious practices in Ancient Rome
influenced the Byzantine Empire. Sources C and D can be studied to better
understand how Greek civilization influenced language in the Roman Empire.
Sources E, F, and G can be studied to better understand how Greek, Roman,
and Byzantine architects influenced building projects in these civilizations.
Source A: Excerpt from the “Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed” that was
accepted by church leaders in Rome and Constantinople in 381 CE. This
occurred before the Great Schism of 1054 when the Roman Catholic and
Eastern Orthodox churches split apart.
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and
of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the
only-begotten Son of God…
1. According to the source, how were the religious beliefs of the western
section of the Roman Empire like the religious beliefs of the eastern
section (Byzantine Empire)?
1
, Source B: Excerpt from “What does Nicaea have to do with the Great
Schism?” By D.D. Emmons, OSV News, January 23, 2025.
https://news.diocesetucson.org/news/what-does-nicaea-have-to-do-with-the-
great-schism
In the eighth century, Byzantine Emperor Leo III (reigned from 717-41)
ordered the destruction of all icons, pictures and religious images in every
church. Such action, known as Iconoclasm, is believed to have resulted from
… Christians who saw images as a form of idolatry. Pope St. Gregory III
(reigned from 731-41) refused to comply, and the emperor made a failed
attempt to arrest the pope. The Council of Nicaea II in 787 formally denied
the removal and destruction of icons and other images. The council bishops
were fully cognizant that veneration of icons had been going on for years and
as such were important in teaching a populace that was mostly illiterate. The
iconoclast controversy finally ended in 843 but had created added tension
between East and West.
2. How were the religious beliefs of the western section of the Roman
Empire different from the religious beliefs of the Byzantine Empire?
2
why are civilizations influenced by past civilizations?” The sources were
selected to demonstrate how religious practices, languages, and
architectural styles of a civilization affect other civilizations. Sources A and B
can be studied to better understand how religious practices in Ancient Rome
influenced the Byzantine Empire. Sources C and D can be studied to better
understand how Greek civilization influenced language in the Roman Empire.
Sources E, F, and G can be studied to better understand how Greek, Roman,
and Byzantine architects influenced building projects in these civilizations.
Source A: Excerpt from the “Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed” that was
accepted by church leaders in Rome and Constantinople in 381 CE. This
occurred before the Great Schism of 1054 when the Roman Catholic and
Eastern Orthodox churches split apart.
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and
of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the
only-begotten Son of God…
1. According to the source, how were the religious beliefs of the western
section of the Roman Empire like the religious beliefs of the eastern
section (Byzantine Empire)?
1
, Source B: Excerpt from “What does Nicaea have to do with the Great
Schism?” By D.D. Emmons, OSV News, January 23, 2025.
https://news.diocesetucson.org/news/what-does-nicaea-have-to-do-with-the-
great-schism
In the eighth century, Byzantine Emperor Leo III (reigned from 717-41)
ordered the destruction of all icons, pictures and religious images in every
church. Such action, known as Iconoclasm, is believed to have resulted from
… Christians who saw images as a form of idolatry. Pope St. Gregory III
(reigned from 731-41) refused to comply, and the emperor made a failed
attempt to arrest the pope. The Council of Nicaea II in 787 formally denied
the removal and destruction of icons and other images. The council bishops
were fully cognizant that veneration of icons had been going on for years and
as such were important in teaching a populace that was mostly illiterate. The
iconoclast controversy finally ended in 843 but had created added tension
between East and West.
2. How were the religious beliefs of the western section of the Roman
Empire different from the religious beliefs of the Byzantine Empire?
2
