The Byzantine The Byzantine EmpireEmpire

The last stand of the The last stand of the Roman EmpireRoman Empire

The Division of the The Division of the Roman EmpireRoman Empire

In 284 AD In 284 AD DiocletianDiocletian became became Roman emperor. He decided that Roman emperor. He decided that the huge Roman empire could the huge Roman empire could only be ruled effectively by only be ruled effectively by splitting it into two parts.splitting it into two parts.

In 330 Diocletian’s In 330 Diocletian’s successor, successor, ConstantineConstantine, rebuilt , rebuilt the old Greek port of the old Greek port of Byzantium, at the Byzantium, at the entrance to the Black entrance to the Black Sea. He renamed it Sea. He renamed it ConstantinopleConstantinople and and made the city the made the city the capital of the Eastern capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.Roman Empire.

The Byzantine Empire Under The Byzantine Empire Under JustinianJustinian

At first, this Empire At first, this Empire controlled only a controlled only a small area around small area around the eastern the eastern Mediterranean, but Mediterranean, but during the reign of during the reign of Justinian Justinian (527-565), it (527-565), it started to recover started to recover much of the territory much of the territory of the old Roman of the old Roman empireempire..

Justinian and TheodoraJustinian and TheodoraJustinian ruled as Justinian ruled as

an an autocrat autocrat with with the help of the help of Theodora. Theodora. Created a huge Created a huge Christian empireChristian empire

Empire reached Empire reached its greatest sizeits greatest size

Built Built HagiaHagia Sophia Sophia

The Byzantine economyThe Byzantine economy

The The Byzantine Empire Byzantine Empire was wealthy and was wealthy and produced: gold, silk, produced: gold, silk, grain, olives and wine. grain, olives and wine. It traded these for It traded these for spices, ivory and spices, ivory and precious stones from precious stones from countries as far away countries as far away as China and India as China and India along the Silk Road along the Silk Road trade routes.trade routes.

Justinian’s Code of LawsJustinian’s Code of Laws Laws were fairer to women. They could own Laws were fairer to women. They could own

property and raise their own children after property and raise their own children after their husbands died.their husbands died.

Children allowed to choose their own Children allowed to choose their own marriage partners.marriage partners.

Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their masters.masters.

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

indeed, the very spelling of "justice".indeed, the very spelling of "justice".

The Fall of the Western The Fall of the Western Roman EmpireRoman Empire

By 395 AD, the Roman Empire was By 395 AD, the Roman Empire was formally divided into two empires: formally divided into two empires: East and West. With the invasion East and West. With the invasion of Germanic forces from the north, of Germanic forces from the north, the Western Roman Empire was the Western Roman Empire was conquered and further divided. conquered and further divided. This left the eastern part of the This left the eastern part of the Roman empire to carry on the Roman empire to carry on the Greco-Roman tradition.Greco-Roman tradition.

The shrinking Byzantine EmpireThe shrinking Byzantine Empire

I The events leading to this I The events leading to this reduction in size were:reduction in size were:

Repeated attacks from the OttomansRepeated attacks from the Ottomans Constantinople was a very desirable Constantinople was a very desirable

portport It had fallen into disrepair because of It had fallen into disrepair because of

attacks by Christians during the attacks by Christians during the CrusadesCrusades

The Bubonic Plague had weakened The Bubonic Plague had weakened areas and left them vulnerable to areas and left them vulnerable to northern nomadic tribesnorthern nomadic tribes

II To wrest control of II To wrest control of Constantinople from the Byzantines Constantinople from the Byzantines

Mehmed II…..Mehmed II…..

Built a huge fortress (called “Throat-Built a huge fortress (called “Throat-cutter” in Turkish) on the opposite cutter” in Turkish) on the opposite coast from Constantinoplecoast from Constantinople

Had about 80,000 soldiers and 5,000 Had about 80,000 soldiers and 5,000 Janissaries (mercenaries-paid Janissaries (mercenaries-paid soldiers)soldiers)

Had a naval fleet to attack from the Had a naval fleet to attack from the seasea

Constantine begged Europe for Constantine begged Europe for help in holding back the Ottomans help in holding back the Ottomans

but…but… Europeans were too consumed with Europeans were too consumed with

the Schism in the Catholic church the Schism in the Catholic church and other battles that were going on and other battles that were going on at the same time. at the same time.

A few troops arrived from north Italy A few troops arrived from north Italy but it was too few.but it was too few.

The only defense for The only defense for Constantinople was…Constantinople was…

14 miles of thick, strong, walls14 miles of thick, strong, walls About 7,000 soldiers, 2000 of which About 7,000 soldiers, 2000 of which

were mercenarieswere mercenaries

III Both sides had weapons and III Both sides had weapons and strategies that they used in this strategies that they used in this

history-making contest…history-making contest… Mehmed had…Mehmed had… 27 foot long cannon called “Basilic”27 foot long cannon called “Basilic” BUT, the cannonballs weighed 1200 BUT, the cannonballs weighed 1200

lbs. and only went one mile!lbs. and only went one mile! AND it took 3 hours to re-load it!AND it took 3 hours to re-load it! And even worse, it couldn’t hit And even worse, it couldn’t hit

anything and after 6 weeks it anything and after 6 weeks it collapsed under it’s own recoil! collapsed under it’s own recoil!

B. The Byzantines had….B. The Byzantines had….

Smaller cannonsSmaller cannons

ANDAND

Their recoil actually Their recoil actually damaged their own damaged their own defense walls!defense walls!

As for tactics…As for tactics…

A. The Byzantines built a blockade A. The Byzantines built a blockade across the entrance to the Golden across the entrance to the Golden Horn to stop Mehmed’s ships from Horn to stop Mehmed’s ships from enteringentering

B. Mehmed II then built a road of B. Mehmed II then built a road of greased logs across the peninsula greased logs across the peninsula and ROLLED his ships across!and ROLLED his ships across!

Another tactic tried…Another tactic tried…

A. The Ottomans tried to build tunnels A. The Ottomans tried to build tunnels under the walls of Constantinopleunder the walls of Constantinople

B. So the Byzantines built counter tunnels B. So the Byzantines built counter tunnels that allowed them to kill Turkish workers. that allowed them to kill Turkish workers. Finally, the Byzantines captured an Finally, the Byzantines captured an Ottoman tunnel engineer and tortured him Ottoman tunnel engineer and tortured him until he told them where all the tunnels until he told them where all the tunnels werewere

And then the Byzantines…And then the Byzantines…

Flooded the tunnels and Flooded the tunnels and destroyed them!destroyed them!

IV Finally, Mehmed II made an IV Finally, Mehmed II made an offer…offer…

That the Byzantines would pay That the Byzantines would pay an astronomical fee and he an astronomical fee and he would lift the seigewould lift the seige

When the Byzantines refused, he When the Byzantines refused, he planned to overpower them by planned to overpower them by sheer force.sheer force.

The foreshadowing of the fall…The foreshadowing of the fall…

The symbol of Constantinople was a The symbol of Constantinople was a moon and on 5/22/1453 there was an moon and on 5/22/1453 there was an lunar eclipse and they saw this as an lunar eclipse and they saw this as an omenomen

A thick unusual fog covered the city A thick unusual fog covered the city and when it lifted there was a firelike and when it lifted there was a firelike glow over the Hagia Sophia. They glow over the Hagia Sophia. They thought it meant the Holy Spirit was thought it meant the Holy Spirit was leaving the church.leaving the church.

These phenomena were actually These phenomena were actually caused by…caused by…

A volcanic eruption in the Pacific A volcanic eruption in the Pacific whose ashes were thrown high into whose ashes were thrown high into the atmosphere and caused the eerie the atmosphere and caused the eerie glowglow

The Fall of ConstantinopleThe Fall of Constantinople

Constantine XI led the last attack and Constantine XI led the last attack and dieddied

The Ottomans began to rape, pillage The Ottomans began to rape, pillage and enslave the populationand enslave the population

The Hagia Sophia was converted to a The Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosquemosque

The Fall of Constantinople was seen The Fall of Constantinople was seen as a key event in ending the Middle as a key event in ending the Middle Ages and starting the Renaissance Ages and starting the Renaissance due to…..due to…..

* * use of cannon and gunpowder use of cannon and gunpowder

in battle in battle

* end of the old religious order* end of the old religious order

Results of the Fall of Results of the Fall of ConstantinopleConstantinople

It severed the main overland trade It severed the main overland trade link between Europe and Asia so link between Europe and Asia so Europeans began to look for ways to Europeans began to look for ways to reach Asia by sea…..reach Asia by sea…..

This led to the discovery of the New This led to the discovery of the New World!World!

The Schism in the Catholic ChurchThe Schism in the Catholic Church

Bishop of Rome- represented center Bishop of Rome- represented center of the Roman Empire and it was of the Roman Empire and it was considered to be the seat of Saint considered to be the seat of Saint Peter.Peter.

Bishop of Constantinople- because it Bishop of Constantinople- because it was the center of the Byzantine was the center of the Byzantine Empire and the seat of Saint Andrew Empire and the seat of Saint Andrew (Peter’s brother)(Peter’s brother)

Factors that led to the schism…Factors that led to the schism…

Separation of the Roman Empire into Separation of the Roman Empire into western and eastern segmentswestern and eastern segments

The western empire crumbled but The western empire crumbled but the Byzantine empire continued to the Byzantine empire continued to thrive.thrive.

Language of the West was Latin and Language of the West was Latin and the language of the East was Greek. the language of the East was Greek. Made communications difficultMade communications difficult

Continued…Continued…

Cultural unity began to crumble tooCultural unity began to crumble too Different approaches to religious Different approaches to religious

practicespractices

Tensions increased to the point…Tensions increased to the point…

Led to the mutual excommunication Led to the mutual excommunication of leading clergy of both sidesof leading clergy of both sides

Excommunication-to be refused Excommunication-to be refused ability to communicate with Godability to communicate with God

Recent movements towards Recent movements towards healing the splithealing the split

1999- Pope John Paul II met Teoctist 1999- Pope John Paul II met Teoctist (Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox (Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church)Church)

2002- Teoctist visited the Pope in 2002- Teoctist visited the Pope in RomeRome

2004- Pope John Paul II, to promote 2004- Pope John Paul II, to promote unity returned the bones of former unity returned the bones of former Eastern Orthodox patriarchs to Eastern Orthodox patriarchs to Istanbul (Constantinople)Istanbul (Constantinople)

2005- Patriarch Bartholomew attended the 2005- Patriarch Bartholomew attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II. First time a funeral of Pope John Paul II. First time a patriarch had attended a pope’s funeral in patriarch had attended a pope’s funeral in centuries. Considered to be a serious sign centuries. Considered to be a serious sign of possible reconciliation.of possible reconciliation.

May 2005- Pope Benedict XVI said May 2005- Pope Benedict XVI said reconciliation is his goal. He scheduled a reconciliation is his goal. He scheduled a visit to Turkey in Nov. 2006.visit to Turkey in Nov. 2006.

Nov. 2006- Meeting was warm and Nov. 2006- Meeting was warm and productive. New hope for reconciliation in productive. New hope for reconciliation in futurefuture

Kievan RusKievan Rus Begun by invasion Begun by invasion

of Viking tribes – of Viking tribes – also known as Slavs also known as Slavs – from north of the – from north of the Baltic.Baltic.

Both trade partner Both trade partner and sometime and sometime enemy of the enemy of the Byzantine Empire.Byzantine Empire.

During Roman times, the Slavs expanded into southern Russia. Like the Germanic peoples who pushed into western Europe, the Slavs had a simple political organization divided into clans. They lived in small villages, farmed, and traded along the rivers that ran between the Baltic and the Black seas.

In the 700s and 800s, the Vikings steered their long ships out of Scandinavia. These expert sailors were as much at home on Russian rivers as on the stormy Atlantic. The Vikings, called Varangians by later Russians, worked their way south along the rivers, trading with and collecting tribute from the Slavs. They also conducted a thriving trade with Constantinople.

Located at the heart of this vital trade network was the city of Kiev. In time, it would become the center of the first Russian state.

Ivan the GreatIvan the Great(Ivan III Vasilevich)(Ivan III Vasilevich)

A.A. Grand Duke of MuscovyGrand Duke of Muscovy

B.B. Adopted the title of Grand Duke of all Adopted the title of Grand Duke of all RussiasRussias

C.C. Quadrupled the territory of his stateQuadrupled the territory of his state

D.D. Claimed Moscow to be the third RomeClaimed Moscow to be the third Rome

E.E. Built the Moscow KremlinBuilt the Moscow Kremlin

F.F. Laid the foundations for Russian Laid the foundations for Russian autocracyautocracy

G.G. Longest reigning Russian rulerLongest reigning Russian ruler

Ivan the GreatIvan the Great

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Conflict with Khan Ahmed of the Conflict with Khan Ahmed of the Golden Horde of Mongols led to Golden Horde of Mongols led to finally defeating this branch of the finally defeating this branch of the Mongols for a timeMongols for a time

He had peaceable relations with the He had peaceable relations with the Ottomans and other Mongol leadersOttomans and other Mongol leaders

Eventually took over LithuaniaEventually took over Lithuania

The Pope hoped to heal the Great The Pope hoped to heal the Great Schism so…Schism so…

He encouraged Ivan to marry Sophia He encouraged Ivan to marry Sophia (Zoe) Paleologue, niece to the last (Zoe) Paleologue, niece to the last Byzantine emperor. Byzantine emperor.

He failed because Ivan took up the He failed because Ivan took up the Orthodox faith rather than the Orthodox faith rather than the Roman Catholic faithRoman Catholic faith

Influence of the Grand DuchessInfluence of the Grand Duchess

Wanted Moscow to be the third Rome Wanted Moscow to be the third Rome so she introduced grand Byzantine so she introduced grand Byzantine ceremonies and etiquette. ceremonies and etiquette.

She also encouraged imperial ideas She also encouraged imperial ideas in Ivan and suggested he adopt the in Ivan and suggested he adopt the imperial double-headed eagle as his imperial double-headed eagle as his symbol.symbol.

Ivan wanted to be a worthy Ivan wanted to be a worthy successor to the Byzantine successor to the Byzantine

empire…empire…

Invited many artists and thinkers to Invited many artists and thinkers to MoscowMoscow

Led in the construction of cathedrals Led in the construction of cathedrals and palaces in the Kremlin (center of and palaces in the Kremlin (center of Russian government and power) in Russian government and power) in Moscow which showed Ivan’s powerMoscow which showed Ivan’s power

St. Basil’s CathedralSt. Basil’s Cathedral