The Balkans between Rome and Constantinople in the early middle ages 600-900, A.D.

Part of : Balkan studies : biannual publication of the Institute for Balkan Studies ; Vol.34, No.2, 1993, pages 213-228

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213-228
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During the early Middle Ages, the Balkans witnessed a struggle betweenRome and Constantinople for jurisdiction over the Balkan churches. Thefinal victory went to Constantinople for political and geographical reasons,but not, as commonly held, due to Emperor Leo Ill’s actions during theiconoclastic controversy. The article argues that the fall of Ravenna to theLombards in 751 was the decisive event that gave the ecumenical patriarchatesuccess. When Serbs and Bulgarians chose Eastern over Western Christianity,Constantinople’s precedence over Rome was confirmed.
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