Byzantine Empire and Beginnings of the Medieval Period

Brief History•4th C. CE Roman Empire divided into halves (Diocletian)

•Moved capital to Constantinople (Constantine)

•W. Roman Empire fell to Barbarians, Eastern half survived for another 1000 years-until 1453 (fell to Ottoman Turks)•Mostly Middle Eastern and Greek culture

Justinian (527-565)•Byzantine Empire reached greatest extent•Tried to restore former Roman Empire

•Set up secondary capital at Ravenna, Italy•Conquered N. Africa, S. Spain, Italy

•Married to Theodora•“actress” and dancer•Pushed for women’s rights•Made Justinian put down the Nike Rebellion

San Vitale

More Justinian•Justinian’s Code

•Codified the old Twelve Tables

•Religious and Secular ruler•Made Greek official language•Constructed public works:

•Hagia Sophia•Rebuilt Constantinople

Byzantine Culture•Trade

•Between Asia and Europe•Smuggled silk worms out of China

•Thriving silk trade

•Glassware, linen, jewelry, gold

•Political, cultural, and intellectual center•Greek Fire: weapon used against ships

Great Schism #1• Rome and Constantinople fought over

religious power• Pope (in Rome) claimed supremacy over

everyone• Patriarch in Constantinople claimed authority

over the east

• Also split over:• Language: Latin/Greek• Icons: RC=no/ GO=yes

• 1054 they split• Greek Orthodox

• Controlled by Byzantine Emperor• Less significant in politics than RC• Eventually spreads to Russia