Latin Christendom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Latin Christendom - Essay Example It was natural that a sense of rivalry between Latin Empire and Greek Empire should develop very readily. And still more readily did the rivalry of Greek-speaking Christianity and the newer Latin-speaking version develop† says Wells (1922, p.45). His rule was the time when State had the utmost supremacy and after his death, State power receded to the background and papacy became more important during years of Latin Christendom. It was a Latin speaking world and the States resented the enormous power wielded by the Church. By then, the Romans have become Christians and they could not abide with the papal power. Christianity started with the high principles of brotherhood and tolerance, but with the high individuality cherished by Romans, Church found it necessary to have effective control. â€Å"†¦ Christianity did cherish the principle of toleration and abandoned it only reluctantly as the need of maintaining social, and even political cohesion among Romans made centralization and authority unavoidable,† Pickman (1937, p.17\). On the other hand Byzantine Empire was the Greek speaking Roman Empire and under emperors like Constantine, it was a raw political power. Even though the emperors were totally in control, this did not rule out acute rivalry and existence of contenders to power. Rebelling against the state or defying it would have brought severe punishment. People were well protected, but had very few individual liberties. Rulers like Justinian were more focussed on empire expansion and control. Emperors did not look at the religious authority for succession, approval and guidance in ruling. No doubt the Christian power was ascending, but it did not control the political power. Byzantine rulers never accepted the superiority of the Church. The Emperor remained supreme and every other authority was defied. Byzantine were more autocratic than the States that