The Byzantine Empire old Eastern Roman Empire

The Byzantine Empire The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived for a thousand years after the western half had crumbled into various feudal kingdoms and which finally fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453

Roman Emperor Constantine renames Byzantium after himself

The Organization of the Byzantine Empire: Strong central government. Emperor has absolute power ( autocrat / dictator ) Emperor also has spiritual authority. Emperor’s rank is similar to God Strong money economy. Ruled over Mediterranean Sea trade routes Strong military. Army rules over Mediterranean Sea. Secret weapon – Greek Fire Empire blended elements of Christianity and the Greek Culture

Greek Fire Greek Fire was the secret weapon of the Eastern Roman Emperors ( the Byzantine Emperors ! ) The "liquid fire" was hurled on to the ships of their enemies from siphons and burst into flames on contact Inextinguishable and burned even on water The secret behind the Greek fire was handed down from one emperor to the next Liquid petroleum, naphtha, burning pitch, sulphur, resin, quicklime and bitumen, along with some other "secret ingredient"

Greek Fire Historical records indicate a very important victory involving Greek Fire in 678 AD. The Byzantine Empire was able to overwhelm the Arabs at Constantinople using the secret liquid weapon. This was a “turning point in the history of mankind” since scientists speculate that had it not been for Greek Fire, Europe could have looked differently today Even though the exact composition is unknown, Greek fire appears to have been very close to what we now call Napalm

Emperor Justinian’s Accomplishments : Wanted to revive the glory of Ancient Rome and reconquer lands of the old Roman Empire Rebuilt Constantinople after rioting damaged buildings Reformed the Laws of the Empire into a unified “body of civil law” called “JUSTINIAN’S CODE” Ruled with Absolute Power ( dictator ) – served as a role model for many European monarchs

Fortunes Change for the Byzantine Empire For centuries the Byzantine Empire was attacked by various groups of people ( Persians, Slavs, Vikings, Huns and the Turks ) Byzantine Empire served as a buffer zone for Western Europe By the 600s – 700s the Arab armies take control of the trade routes on the Mediterranean Sea

Great Schism in the Christian Church: Differences between Eastern and Western European Christians : Byzantine ( Eastern ) Christianity : Pope in Rome, Italy had no control here Greek was the official language Easter major holy day The Byzantine Church became known as the “Eastern Orthodox Church”

Great Schism in the Christian Church: Differences between Eastern and Western European Christians : Western Christianity : Pope was the Leader of the Church Latin was the official language Christmas was the major holiday Western branch of the church became known as the “Roman Catholic Church”

Over Time Both Sides of the Christian Church Grow Apart ( Schism ) Dispute / Disagreements on whether “images” of Jesus and his mother, Mary are to be worshipped Byzantines say No Roman Catholic Pope says yes The Leaders of both churches excommunicate each other. Churches saw one another as rivals

Great Schism in the Christian Church: Differences between Eastern and Western European Christians :

Crusades lead to Downfall The Byzantine Emperor Alexius asked Pope Urban in Rome for help to fight the Muslim Turks ( Ottomans ) who were blocking the travel routes to Jerusalem Christians from Europe couldn’t travel to their holy city of Jerusalem due to the Muslim Turks blocking these routes Crusading Knights traveled to the Holy Land in the Middle East to regain control of Jerusalem

Crusading Knights

Crusades... continued Constantinople and Italy engage in a trade rivalry – 4 th Crusade attacks Constantinople Muslim Turks finally conquer Constantinople 1453 – the use of gunpowder and cannons helped ! Constantinople is renamed Istanbul and becomes a great center of Muslim culture – so the Byzantine Empire becomes the “Ottoman Empire” now The Hagia Sophia Christian Church becomes a Muslim mosque

The Crusades Christians vs. Muslims

The Crusades ( Christians vs. Muslims ) A legacy of hatred was developed between the two religious groups that still exists today Muslims conquering the Byzantine Empire and it’s capital city, Constantinople, consider this their greatest conquest Exchange of ideas and goods ( trade ) between western Europe and the Middle East actually increased after the Crusades – led to a growth in a money economy Crusades helped increase the power of the Monarchy in Europe

Now you know more about the Byzantine Empire than most people ! Have a Great Day !