The Byzantine Empire

Outline of the Roman Empire After conquering Etruscans: From around 300 BCE, Rome began to grow in political importance. Within 300 Years it had unified the whole Mediterranean into one empire. Intellectually, Rome was dominated by Greece, but its genius was in statecraft and law. Will go from Republic – to Empire – to 2 Empires – then will 476 C.E.

The half of the Roman Empire that survived Byzantine Empire

Terms/People to know for Quiz Constantine Constantinople New Rome Justinian Theodora Justinian’s Code Justinian’s Plague Hagia Sophia

The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the old Roman Empire. Long after Rome fell (476 A.D.) under the Germanic invaders, Byzantium continued in Constantinople. Byzantine, Russian, and Turkish cultures develop, while Christian and Islamic societies fight over religious issues and territory. The Byzantine Empire lasted over 1000 years, from the 400s until the Empire’s fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

One outstanding emperor was Justinian and he ruled from 527– 565 A.D.. His reign saw great Byzantine expansion across North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and even southern Spain. He wanted to restore the empire to its former Roman glory. His reign was one of the last that still used Latin as the official royal language. Greek became the new language.

New Laws for the Empire Justinian seeks to revise and update laws for governing the empire Justinian Code—new set of laws consisting of four main parts Code regulates much of Byzantine life; lasts for 900 years Creating the Imperial Capital Justinian launches program to beautify capital, Constantinople Byzantines preserve Greco-Roman culture and learning Constructs new buildings; builds magnificent church, Hagia Sophia

Justinian oversaw the construction of a great church in the city that would to be the shining example of Byzantine architecture. Built the Church of the Hagia Sophia. (Hagia Sophia translates from the Greek as Holy Wisdom.) (The building measures 250 feet by 235 feet and features a great dome measuring 107 feet across and peaking at a height of 185 feet. The building took five years to complete with 10,000 men working on it. Inside, the great church was adorned with marble, elaborate columns, intricate mosaics, and gold.)

Mosaic depicting Justinian (left) presenting model of church of Hagia Sophia to the Virgin Mary. Constantine to the right presents her with a model of Constantinople

Constantinople’s Hectic Pace City becomes trading hub with major marketplace Giant Hippodrome offers chariot races and other entertainment Racing fans start riots in 532; government restores order violently Empress Theodora—powerful wife and adviser to Justinian Years of Turmoil Justinian dies in 565; empire faces many crises after his death The Plague of Justinian Bubonic plague repeatedly sweeps empire; kills many residents

Attacks from East and West Byzantium faces attacks from many different groups Empire survives through bribery, diplomacy, and military power Constantinople falls in 1453; brings an end to Byzantine Empire A Religious Split Christianity develops differently in Eastern and Western Roman Empires Two churches disagree over many issues, including use of icons Icons are religious images used to aid in prayer Leading bishop of Eastern Christianity known aspatriarch In the West, pope excommunicated emperor—banished him from the Church

A Religious Split Pope and patriarch excommunicate each other over religious doctrines Eastern and Western churches officially split in 1054 West—Roman Catholic Church; East—Orthodox Church Byzantine Missionaries Convert the Slavs Eastern Orthodox missionaries seek to convert northern peoples, Slavs Missionaries create Cyrillic alphabet—basis of many Slavic languages Alphabet enables many groups to read the Bible

Group Poster Project Using yesterday’s handout “Theodora, woman of will” and today’s handout “The Empress Irene”, create a T- Chart or a Venn Diagram comparing/contrasting the two rulers. Posters should have a title, the graphic organizer, and your names on the back. Theodora Irene