The Byzantine Empire Chapter 12.3

Tennessee SPI SPI 6.64 Reflect on the impact of the lives of Cleopatra, Marc Antony, Nero, Diocletian, and Constantine, city of Constantinople on the Roman Empire

The New Rome Empire divided in AD 395 Eastern half known as Byzantine Empire Extended west to Italy, south to Egypt, east to Arabian border Greeks made up largest population Empire grew under Emperor Justinian

Constantinople Constantine moved empire’s capital from Rome to Byzantium Byzantium renamed Constantinople Location was crossroads of Europe’s/Asia’s trade routes Became wealthiest part of Roman Empire Was easy to defend, located on peninsula

Byzantium/Constantinople

Byzantines’ Culture Gov’t buildings/palaces built in Roman style Hippodrome – arena for chariot races Emperors spoke Latin, enforced Roman laws Gov’t gave free bread/entertainment to poor Over time Roman influence faded, Greek influence increased Most spoke Greek; emperors/officials began to speak Greek instead of Latin

Byzantines’ Culture Also shaped by Egyptian, Slavs, and Persian culture All of these cultures blended to form Byzantine culture Between 500-1200 AD became one of world’s most advanced civilizations Passed on Greek culture and Roman Law Brought Christianity to Eastern Europeans

Justinian’s Rule Ruled at height of Byzantine Empire Skilled general, strong leader, ruled 527-565 AD Governed with supreme power Controlled the military Made all of Empire’s legal decisions Viewed as Byzantine’s greatest emperor

Theodora Justinian’s wife; beautiful, intelligent, ambitious Active in gov’t; helped choose gov’t officials Helped win legal rights for women; could own land if widowed Urged Justinian to stay and fight taxpayer revolt Justinian crushed rebels, restored order

Justinian and Theodora

Justininan’s contributions Area of law Ordered Tribonian and legal scholar group to simplify code of laws New legal code know as Justinian Code Helped officials and businessmen understand the Empire’s laws Basis for legal system of Western world

Byzantine Arts Justinian was into arts/architecture Ordered construction of churches, forts, gov’t buildings throughout Empire Hagia Sophia, or “Holy Wisdom” Built by 10,000 laborers Religious center of Byzantine Empire Completed AD 537, still stands in Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia

Mosaics patterns/pictures made from colored glass or stone honored saints, Christian Holy people, emperors Education Boys – studied religion, medicine, law, arithmetic grammar Girls – did not attend school, taught at home

Military Conquest Justinian wanted to restore Roman Empire General Belisarius led army Calvary soldiers – mounted on horses, carried bows and lances A.D. 533-555 conquered former Roman Empire territories; Italy, Spain, N. Africa “Justinian’s Plague” killed millions, weakened Empire