Justinian and the Byzantine Empire

SSWH4 Analyze the importance of Justinian; include the influence of the

Empress Theodora, Justinian’s Code, and Justinian’s efforts to recapture the west.

5th century, Eastern Roman empire was centered around Constantinople

Justinian became emperor in 527/ determined to reestablish the Roman empire in the Mediterranean/ reached his goals by 552

Reign of Justinian

Constantinople

Largest city in Europe in the Middle Ages Based on trade until the 12th century/

Europe’s greatest center of Commerce During Justinian’s reign, silkworms were

smuggled from China to begin a silk industry

Hagia Sophia = church of Holy Wisdom Hippodrome = arena where gladiator

fights & chariot races were held

Life in Constantinople

Justinian and Theodora

Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora. Created a huge Christian empire

Empire reached its greatest size

Autocrat – ruler who has complete authority

Justinian and Theodora

Built Hagia Sophia Rebuilt the

Hippodrome

Justinian and Theodora

Justinian created the Body of Civil Law = code of Roman laws that was the basis of imperial law in Eastern Roman empire until its end in 1453

Aka Justinian’s Code

Justinian’s Code of Laws

Laws were fairer to women. They could own property and raise their own children after their husbands died.

Children allowed to choose their own marriage partners.

Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their masters.

Punishments were detailed and fit the crime His work inspired the modern concept and,

indeed, the very spelling of "justice".

Emperor Justinian

Justinian’s conquest left Eastern Roman empire with too much land to protect far from Constantinople

Arab Muslims were the biggest threat to Eastern Roman Empire

Islamic forces defeated an army of Eastern Roman at Yarmuk in 636 & lost Syria & Palestine

679, Bulgars defeated the Eastern Roman empire & took possession of the lower Danube Valley

8th century, Eastern Roman empire was much smaller (Asia minor & eastern Balkans)

Beginning of Byzantine Empire

Both a Greek & Christian state Greek replaced Latin as the official

language Christian church became known as

Eastern Orthodox Church Byzantine emperor controlled the church

& the state Emperor appointed the head of the

church Government & religious officials were all

bound together in the service of a spiritual ideal

Byzantine Empire

Macedonians ruled the Byzantine Empire from 876-1081

Macedonians expanded the empire Expanded trade relations w/ Western

Europe Late 11th century = lot of political & social

disorder

Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Art: Mosaicsand Illuminated Manuscripts

Hagia Sophia

The End of the Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine empire drew to a close in 1453 when forces from the Muslim Ottoman Empire surrounded and conquered Constantinople.

The ancient Christian city was renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.