THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE An Exploration of History, Geography, & Culture

THE EMPIRE- WHERE WAS IT LOCATED?

HOW DID BYZANTINE COME TO BE?

The Byzantine Empire was founded in 657 BC by a sailor traveling across the Aegean Sea.

The location of the empire interested Emperor Constantine and in 330 AD it became an imperial residence based off the Roman Empire.

After Constantine’s death, Constantinople (today’s Istanbul) was named in his honor, and remained the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire

The Byzantine Empire is distinguished from the Roman Empire as it is based on Greek culture, used the Greek language rather than Latin, and was characterized by Christianity rather than Roman Paganism.

PROTECTING THE EMPIRE FROM OUTSIDE INVASIONS…

JUSTINIAN & THEODORA

Justinian is often referred to as Justinian the Great

He was the Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565 Justinian fought to reconquer lost Roman

territory and revitalize the greatness of the Roman Empire

A major accomplishment was the uniform rewriting of Roman law, the Corpus Juris Civilis which is still the basis of civil law in many modern states

Justinian had laws changed so that he as a senatorial man could marry Theodora, an actress

He passed numerous laws for the protection of women, and had a large influence on the Byzantine Culture i.e. construction of the Hagia Sophia

Theodora was extremely influential and groundbreaking feminist for women’s rights

Justinian and Theodora are Saints in the Orthodox Church

MOSAIC IMAGES CREATED AFTER EMPEROR JUSTINIAN AND EMPRESS THEODORA

BYZANTINE CULTURE

Major advancements were made in architecture, scientific applications, mathematics, and astronomy

The Church played an important role in Byzantine life- official doctrines enforced that Catholic Christianity was to be practiced throughout the Empire

Byzantine art pays special attention to religious expression and representation; the style spread along trade routes and came to influence the Italian Renaissance

Byzantine literature had four main elements- Greek, Christian, Roman, & Oriental; the most notable literary works were religious i.e. sermons

Byzantine Architecture was initially a continuation of Roman work, but eventually became prominent and even influenced future Islamic designs

GEOGRAPHY OF THE EMPIRE

The Empire and Constantinople (today’s Istanbul) were located between the Black Sea & the entrance to the Mediterranean- most trade between Asia, Europe, & North America had to occur within the Byzantine Empire

Constantinople was situated on the edge of Asia & Europe- Because Constantinople was at the center of two continents, it became a center of commerce, culture, diplomacy, and grew considerably.

It’s peninsula location provided protection from sea invasions

The city sat along the strait of Bosporous- The Bosporous helps link the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea; Ships that travelled through the Mediterranean & Black Seas had to pass through the Bosporous strait

Byzantine economy was the most advanced in Europe & the Mediterranean for many years

Economy majorly depended on trade which was aided by the Silk Road

Numerous trade routes, including the Silk Road ran through Constantinople. Accessibility to these items made people and the government very rich.

CONSTANTINOPLE

The city was located between both Christianity & Muslim Religions. Jerusalem was located within the Byzantine Empire. This set the stage for the religious war known as the Crusades.

CONNECT THE PAST TO THE PRESENT How did the location of Constantinople

affect the Byzantine Empire & the rest of the world?

In modern times, what might the location of Istanbul mean for the Republic of Turkey and the outside world?

Istanbul Not Constantinople- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vankaSlfSr0