Question

What were some differences between the Byzantine and Arab Empires?

(Select all that apply.)

The Byzantine Empire had great regard for science and technology, whereas the Arab Empire forbade scientific discovery.

Byzantine Christian mosaics depicted Jesus of Nazareth, whereas portraits of Allah and Muhammad were forbidden.

Byzantine moral behavior was dictated by the Bible, whereas the Koran dictated moral of the Arab Empire.

The Byzantine Empire forbade trade with Visigoth and Frankish nations, whereas the Arab Empire encouraged seagoing trade.

Answer 1

The correct statements are:

- Byzantine Christian mosaics depicted Jesus of Nazareth, whereas portraits of Allah and Muhammad were forbidden;

- Byzantine moral behavior was dictated by the Bible, whereas the Koran dictated moral of the Arab Empire;

Big differences between the two empires arose from the differences in religion. While the Byzantine Empire was the most important place for the Orthodox Christianity, the Arab Empire was the home and propagandist of the Islam. This led into a big difference into the moral values and principles of life between the people from this two empires, where the ones form the Byzantine Empire were led by the Bible, the ones in the Arab Empire were led by the Koran. Also, in the Byzantine Empire, lot of the art was focused on religious motifs, and Jesus was a common art motif, whereas in the Arab Empire, depiction of Allah, or the prophet Muhammad were strictly forbidden and punishable with death.