330-1453 AD

The Byzantine Empire

Rise of the Byzantine Empire Roman Emperor Constantine

moves the capital from Rome to eastern city of Byzantium

Western half of old Roman Empire falls into “Dark Ages”

Eastern half of Roman Empire becomes Byzantine Empire

The New Roman Empire Still thought of themselves as the

Roman Empire

Official language would switch from Latin to Greek

Very rich and wealthy empire

Geography of Constantinople Water on three

sidesLocated on a

strait connecting Black Sea and Mediterranean

Key trading location between Europe, Africa, and Asia

Byzantine CultureCultural Tradition

from Greeks

Religion Based Culture Christianity center of

Byzantine art, education, and life

Theodosian WallsKept Constantinople

safe from Foreign InvasionDeterred Attila the

Hun from ever entering City

Walls kept city from falling for another 1000 years after their construction

Theodosian WallsHad three separate walls set up in layers to protect the city from invaders

The Golden Age of Byzantine 527 AD Emperor

Justinian takes power

Not popular at start of his rule

High taxes

Cold, not very likeable

Empress Theodora Former Actress

and Prostitute Strong

advocate for woman’s rights.

Nika Riots of 532

Blues vs Greens - factions

Riots lead to arrestsJustinian orders 1

green and 1 blue to death escape and protest begin

Hippodrome

Nika RiotsRioters begin attacking

Justinian’s palace for 5 days and Senators whom had opposed Justinian began plotting with groups to unite and overthrow Justinian

Nika = Win

Theodora convinced Justinian not to flee city during Nika Rebellion

Those who have worn the crown should never survive its loss. Never will I see the day when I am not saluted as empress." - Theodora

The PlanUse force

Have groups meet at Hippodrome

Pay off Blues

Kill Greens

Golden Age ContinuedAfter Nika Rebellion Justinian starts

Construction projects

Rebuilds City Infrastructure

Builds the Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia Outside Inside

Expansion by JustinianStarts expansive military campaign

Temporarily regained control over much of the old Roman Empire

Would eventually be lost again over time

Byzantine Empire under JustinianControl over these regions would not last long after Justinian's death

Justinian Code Formal Code of law that

Governed the Empire

Legal code from Justinian era till end of the Empire

A improved version of Roman Law

Significance

***Justinian’s Code would become the basis for European law in the future***

Byzantine ReligionByzantine Empire brings drastic

Change for Christianity

Rome no longer important city to the Byzantine people and rulers

Lack of Contact between Pope in Rome, and the papacy in the EastBreakdown in authority over the church

Byzantine Religion ContinuedReligion in East controlled by ruling

emperor and Patriarch

Patriarch a term for Lead Bishop in the East

Byzantine Emperors and Patriarchs often conflict with Pope

IconsIcons used by

Christians in the east to aid in worship

Controversy over use Some saw it as

idle worshipLeo III banned

Icon use in 730AD

Icon Controversy King Leo III’s ban on Icon led to

period of Iconoclasm (Icon smashing)

Smash Icons to end improper worship

Pope claimed a Emperor had no authority to deal in issues of the Christian church

Emperor’s Response

Claimed authority over religious decisions within his empire

Byzantines viewed Emperor as decisive voice in Christian governance, and practice

Great Schism Issues continue between papacy in

east and west over issues such as: Pope’s authority over all matters of Christianity

Church’s right to tax the citizens of the Byzantine empire

Priest’s right to get married Languages used in church services

Great Schism1054 AD the Christian Church Splits

The patriarch and Pope excommunicate each other

Papacy in east forms the Eastern Orthodox church

Pope and western churches remain the Roman catholic church

The two Churches Roman Catholic Eastern OrthodoxServices

Conducted in LatinPope has authority

over all bishopsPope has authority

over all kings and emperors

Priests can not marry

Services Conducted in Greek

Patriarch and other bishops head the church

Emperor has authority over Patriarch

Priests can marry

Spread of EOC Opening up trade with Russia

Eastern Orthodox missionaries spread EOC to Slavs (Russians)

St. Cyril and St. Methodius most successful missionaries

Cyrillic AlphabetSt. Cyril and St.

Methodius Designed Cyrillic Alphabet

Allowed Slavs to read bible in native language

Cyrillic Alphabet Christianity now spread through Russian areas as the people could now read the Bible in their own language

Byzantine and Roman Empires

Byzantine Empire Roman Empire

Capitol: ConstantinopleSpoke GreekEducation religion

based Art emphasized

holiness and spirituality

Eastern Orthodox Christian

Fixed

Capitol: RomeSpoke LatinEducation science

based Art emphasized

beauty and physical appearance

Roman CatholicExpansive

Decline of the Byzantine Empire

Black plague hit Empire during Emperor Justinian rein around 540 ADKilled large percentage of population

From the Start of the Empire it was under constant attack Over time Empire lost more and more territory

Empire Under Justinian

Byzantine Empire At the End

The Crusades 1204 AD the fourth crusade ends

with Christians sacking the city of Constantinople

Attacks from Islamic and Russian armies shrunk the empire

Empire officially dies with the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453

Legacy of Byzantine Empire

Preserved Culture of the Greeks and Romans

Great Schism split Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox

Legacy ContinuedJustinian’s Code preserved Roman

laws Be basis for creation of laws in future European countries

Cyrillic Alphabet allowed for spread of Eastern Orthodox Christianity into Russia