The Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine Empire

Capital: Greek city of ByzantiumRebuilt by Emperor ConstantineRenamed Constantinople

CONSTANTINOPLECONSTANTINOPLECenter of Byzantine EmpireTrade center strategically located

Roman Heritage: Public entertainment Chariot races: The Hippodrome

The Age of JustinianThe Age of Justinian

527 – 565 – reign of Justinian

Autocracy – total rule by one leader (autocrat) Golden Age of the Byzantine Empire Justinian determined to revive grandeur of ancient

Rome – set out to conquer lost territories

The Age of JustinianThe Age of Justinian

Beautified Constantinople

Built Hagia Sophia (“ Holy Wisdom”)

HAGIA SOPHIA (“holy wisdom”)

HAGIA SOPHIA (“holy wisdom”)

HAGIA SOPHIA (“holy wisdom”)

The Justinian CodeThe Justinian Code•Corpus Juris Civilis = civil law•Collection of Roman laws•Preserved and transmitted heritage of Roman law

THEODORATHEODORA

Strong wife of JustinianSaved the empire during Nika revolt: Justinian was going to

flee, but Theodora refused Justinian stayed and

crushed rioters 30,000 dead in

Hippodrome

After Justinian: empire declinedAfter Justinian: empire declined

Foreign attacks by Arabs, Slavs, Vikings, Mongols, Turks

•Most territories lost, except for Asia Minor (Greece and Turkey)

•Byzantine Empire held on to trade money economy flourished

Byzantine ChristianityByzantine Christianity

Religion is very important. Byzantine Christianity (Eastern Orthodox) is different from Roman Catholic Christianity (Western Europe)

Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox

Where?

Leader

Clergy members

Language

Most important day

Position on icons (*holy images*)

Western Europe Byzantine Empire

Pope Emperor

Vow of chastity Allowed to marry

Latin Greek

Christmas Easter

Allowed Not allowed (iconoclasts)

SCHISMSCHISM

1054

Schism took place:

permanent split between Eastern Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church

DECLINE OF THE BYZANTINE DECLINE OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE:EMPIRE:

Result of struggles over succession and constant warfare1453 – Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks; renamed Istanbul

Hagia Sophia –

turned into Muslim Mosque

BYZANTINE BYZANTINE HERITAGE & LEGACY: HERITAGE & LEGACY:

Byzantine culture – blend of:

Hellenistic culture (Greek science, philosophy, arts, literature), Roman law and engineering

Christian beliefs & traditions

Influenced Western Europe and the Middle East

BYZANTINE ART:BYZANTINE ART:

Religious Mosaics

KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING:KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING:

Byzantines preserved classic works of ancient Greece and Rome

Byzantine historians First female historian Anna Comnena Procopius

CYRILLIC ALPHABETCYRILLIC ALPHABET

Created by monks of the Byzantine Empire

Spread with Eastern Orthodox religion throughout Greece, Russia, Eastern Europe