Comparison of the power and culture of Byzantium from Western Europe.

The Byzantine state had a leading role in controlling the development of the culture of society. Having significant weight in the management of society, the church in Byzantium recognized the supremacy of the secular state. Vasilevs (ruler) had very broad powers, he appointed patriarchs, etc. The church in Byzantium had a moral function, that is, the salvation of the soul of those who prefer religion. In Western Europe, the church was stronger in relation to the royal power that was in these states. This was due to the fact that Western culture originated from the remnants of ancient culture. In the conditions of general chaos after the arrival of the barbarians in the territory of Old Europe, the church assumed the functions that the state takes on: education, treatment, administration. Therefore, the Pope claimed the primacy. He appointed royal ranks and gave the right to rule in individual countries.