HIST 231 Final, Fall 1995

HISTORY 231 Final Examination 1 February 1996 Time: 2 hours Instructions: Answer any two of the following questions (do not forget the indication 1. of the relevant dates) Compare and contrast the achievements of Heraclius and Leo II as Byzantine emperors. What was the Iconoclast controversy? How did it originate? What were the overt (i.e. frankly stated) and covert (i.e. hidden) motives behind it? How did it end? And what did the Byzantine state achieve from it? What factors contributed to the schisms between the Latin and Byzantine churches? And what were the stages by which this schism developed, until the break between the two churches became complete? Who were the Glorious Usurpers of the Macedonian period. How did each of them come to power? And what were their achievements? Discuss the relations of Basil II with (a) The Fatimids in Syria and (b) The Bulgars in the Balkans.