Relations between Byzantium and the West at this time were often characterised as a clash of cultures. The Greeks viewed themselves as civilised superiors to the barbaric and violent westerners; the people of Europe regarded the Byzantines as unwarlike, effeminate and duplicitous. In the fullest sense, of course, these stereotypes were inaccurate: the Latin West produced thinkers of the calibre of Anselm of Bec and St Bernard of Clairvaux; magnificent buildings such as the 531-feet long abbey of Cluny testify to practical and artisitic qualities as well. Equally, brutality was not exclusive to the westerners; the Byzantines were capable of extraordinary unpleasantness. The death of Emperor Andronicus I Comnenus in 1185 bears witness to this. With one eye gouged out, his teeth pulled out and his right hand severed, he was paraded through the streets of Constantinople, pelted with excrement before being hung upside down, having his genitals hacked off and finally killed by sword thrusts into his mouth and between his buttocks. summarize that
During this time, relations between Byzantium and the West were marked by a clash of cultures. The Greeks saw themselves as superior and civilised compared to the barbaric and violent westerners. Conversely, Europeans viewed the Byzantines as unwarlike, effeminate, and deceitful. However, these stereotypes were inaccurate, as the Latin West produced great thinkers and magnificent buildings. Furthermore, both sides were capable of brutal acts, as evidenced by the gruesome death of Emperor Andronicus I Comnenus in 1185.
The relations between Byzantium and the West during this time were often characterized as a clash of cultures. The Greeks saw themselves as more civilized and superior to the barbaric and violent westerners, while the Europeans viewed the Byzantines as unwarlike, effeminate, and deceitful. However, these stereotypes were not entirely accurate. The Latin West produced great thinkers like Anselm of Bec and St Bernard of Clairvaux, and they also created magnificent buildings such as the abbey of Cluny.
It is important to note that brutality was not exclusive to the westerners. The Byzantines were also capable of extreme cruelty, as demonstrated by the horrific death of Emperor Andronicus I Comnenus in 1185. He was subjected to brutal torture, including having one eye gouged out, teeth pulled out, right hand severed, and being paraded through Constantinople's streets while being pelted with excrement. His suffering continued with his genitals being hacked off, and he was finally killed with sword thrusts into his mouth and between his buttocks.
In summary, the relations between Byzantium and the West during this period were marked by stereotypes and misunderstandings. While both sides had their own achievements and acts of brutality, it is important to recognize that generalizations do not accurately reflect the complex reality of historical events.