Unit Seven Block Three Lecture Contributions and cultural achievements of the Byzantine Empire

Click me Toto … we’re not in Rome anymore!

 Justinian is Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565 CE/AD  He was able to temporary regain former Roman land in Carthage and Italy from 535 to 553 CE/AD and supported expansion of trade  The Empire achieves its height in cultural and economic prosperity during his reign Click me

 Justinian created the Code of Justinian (Corupus Iurus Civilis) in 529 CE/AD  Justinian codified (wrote down) existing Roman Laws including natural law, law of nations, and civil law. This code would impact European legal codes for generations  But Justinian is also ruthless and he suppresses Nika Revolt in 532 CE/AD. This suppression of a really bad political riot leads to lasting social issues. Click Here Like burning down half of Constantinople bad!

 Greek Orthodox Christianity is recognized in the Byzantine Empire after 1054 CE/AD. It is different than Roman Christianity (covered next class).  The Orthodox Church creates these cultural works ◦ Icons: sacred works of art portraying religious images that provide inspiration and connect the worshipper with the spiritual world ◦ Mosaics: the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials found in public and religious structures ◦ Architecture: the Hagia Sophia (domed church) is located in Constantinople (360 CE/AD) Click me

 The Byzantine military is a powerful force that fends off invading barbarians.  The Byzantine navy is powerful and defends Constantinople on three sides  The navy uses “Greek Fire” to defeat the Muslim navy during the siege of Constantinople. Greek fire is a gel like gasoline that does not go out easily (we call it “napalm!”). Click me

 The Byzantine Empire becomes the last civilized place in western civilization after the fall of Rome.  The Empire uses the Greek language (instead of Latin). We still speak Greek and can translate books and papers from the classical Era.  Byzantine libraries act as repositories of Greek and Roman knowledge. Without libraries, we would probably not know any of the history you were taught this year! Click me No … not THAT ark! (but the same idea)