Crisis of the Seventh Century and Basil II

Question 1

Which Roman emperor was assassinated in 602, and who succeeded him?

Answer 1

Maurice, Phocas

Question 2

Who assassinated Maurice, and in what year?

Answer 2

Phocas, 602

Question 3

Why did King Chosroes II invade following Maurice’ death?

Answer 3

He was allied to Maurice, not Constantinople

Question 4

Who was King of the Sassanids in 602?

Answer 4

Chosroes II

Question 5

Who deposed Phocas, and in what year?

Answer 5

Heraclius, 610

Question 6

What year did the Sassanids take Syria and Jerusalem?

Answer 6

614

Question 7

Which territories did the Sassanids take in 614?

Answer 7

Syria and Jerusalem

Question 8

In what year did Heraclius reach Ctesiphon?

Answer 8

628

Question 9

Where did Heraclius reach in 628?

Answer 9

Ctesiphon, capital of the Sassanid empire

Question 10

Why did the Arab Caliphate expand so rapidly?

Answer 10

The Persians and Byzantines were both weak after their long war

Question 11

Which three territories had the Caliphate taken within 10 years of inception?

Answer 11

1. Persia
2. Levant
3. Egypt

Question 12

Which 3 European territories did the Byzantines lose during the 600s, and to whom?

Answer 12

1. Spain, Visigoths
2. N Italy, Lombards
3. Balkans, Avars & Bulgars

Question 13

When did Basil II rule?

Answer 13

976-1025

Question 14

Which 3 places did Basil II reconquer?

Answer 14

1. Caucuses
2. Greece
3. Balkans

Question 15

Describe the extent of Basil II’s empire on his death? W-E, N-S

Answer 15

Italy to Georgia, Danube to Palestine

Question 16

Who did Basil II marry his sister to?

Answer 16

Vladimir I of Kiev

Question 17

Who was responsible for the Christianisation of Russia, and why?

Answer 17

Basil II, he married his sister to Vladimir I of Kiev