The unification of the Arabs and the beginning of the Muslim conquests

With the death of Muhammad, the question arose of his successor. Since, according to the teachings of Islam, there could be no other prophets after Muhammad, the new head of the Muslim community and the Arab state received the title of Khalif, which means “deputy prophet.” The first caliphs were elected from the companions and … Read more

Byzantine society

Byzantine society was very colorful: aristocrats, officials, intellectuals, clergy, merchants, artisans, peasants and slaves. Aristocrats performed certain public duties in combination with a pleasant rest. Mental labor involved employees of state and church institutions, that is, bureaucracy. The average and higher officialdom lived not so much at the expense of state fees, but at the … Read more

Strengthening of royal power in Europe

Feudal disunity in Europe could not last forever because it quickly fed everyone. The unending feuds between the great feudal lords, with shaky royalty, cost the society dearly, because they were waged by the devastation and blood. Tired of them all – and the small and medium feudal lords, townspeople, and peasants. Many were convinced … Read more

Judicial power in medieval Europe

Medieval Europe lived by written laws. At the dawn of the Middle Ages in the territory of the former Roman Empire, the court was carried out according to the collections of laws – barbaric “truths”. The “truths” clearly reflected the legal inequality of various social groups. Romanesque population adhered to the norms of Roman Law, … Read more

The struggle of the Swiss for independence. The origins of European democracy

Political changes in Germany continued. In it, in particular, the Swiss Union was formed. This took care of the Alpine shepherds, who rebelled against the Habsburgs. The beginning of the Swiss struggle for independence is connected with the courageous act of William Tell. This Swiss peasant allegedly refused to bow to the royal governor’s hat. … Read more

Church in the XIV-XV centuries

In the XIV-XV centuries. The royal power grew very strong and took control of the local church. French King Philip IV Beautiful even moved the papal capital from Rome to the French city of Avignon. “Avignon Prisoner” Dad lasted 70 years. Back in the XIII century. the order of election was changed so that secular … Read more

Public Administration and Society of North-Eastern Russia

The most important institution of state government in Russia in the pre-Mongol period was the prince’s power. The prince was not only the supreme ruler of the country or the land, but also the legislative administrator of all local life. In the state administration, the boyars played an important role. They were noble, rich people … Read more

The strengthening of the Moscow state in the 15th century

The political successes of the Moscow principality, achieved during the reign of Dmitry Donskoy, were consolidated and developed by his successors. The son of Dmitry Donskoy, Prince Vasily I shortly after ascension to the throne annexed the principality of Nizhny Novgorod, as well as lands in the Vychegda river basin, populated by the Komi people. … Read more

Seniors, vassals, peasants. Feudal staircase

In the Middle Ages in Europe, special, different than in the ancient world, social relations – feudal. What does this mean? Public feudal lords became feudal lords. Only they were the owners of the land. Therefore, all who used the land, depended on them. The feudal lords were not equal in rank and wealth, but … Read more