2. Byzantine Empire Was the shared power arrangement between the Eastern and Western Roman Empire destined to fail? How could the Western Roman Empire fall so quickly while the Eastern Empire flourished for another thousand years? Did Byzantium restore the former glory of the Roman Empire? In reigning after the collapse of the Western Empire, are Justinian’s accomplishments overshadowed by earlier Roman emperors?
3. Medieval Europe Was feudalism primarily an economic, social, or political structure? Should Gregory the Great be considered the most important medieval pope? Can religious wars ever be justified? Was Christendom united both spiritually and politically? Rather than “The Middle Ages” or “Medieval Period,” what other names could we use to title this era? Did the Catholic Church do more harm than good during the Middle Ages? How much power and authority should religious officials have in affairs of the state?
