The Byzantine Empire Unit 4, October 24th and 25th

The Byzantine Empire After 476 A.D. Rome was under the control of foreigners who themselves claimed to be continuing the empire The Byzantine empire continued as before, believing themselves to be the Roman Empire. The official language switched from Latin to Greek and the empire was very rich and wealthy Their empire was centered in Constantinople In the 4th century, Emperor Constantine established the capital here. It was able to hold off barbarian invaders

The Byzantine Empire had a predominately Greek character Byzantines through the course of the first millennium AD had to deal with cultural influences and political threats from European cultures, Asian cultures and, primarily, Islam after the seventh century. The Byzantine Empire, with territory in the Balkans, the Middle East, and the eastern Mediterranean, maintained very high levels of political, economic, and cultural life between 500-1450 A.D. The empire continued many of the traditions of the western empire and spread its Orthodox Christianity to most of Eastern Europe, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.

Geography of Constantinople Water on three sides Located on a strait connecting Black Sea and Mediterranean Key trading location between Europe, Africa, and Asia

Justinian (527 – 565 A.D.) Attempted to reconquer Western territory but without lasting success He ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora Attacks from Slavs and Persian weakened frontiers Serious financial pressures Rebuilt Constantinople Hagia Sophia Justinian created the codification of Roman Law (Corpus Iuris Civilis) - it was also the first systematic attempt to synthesize Roman law and jurisprudence with Christianity - became the foundation of all European law and legal practice (except for England) He was not liked b/c he had high taxes and was a cold ruler

Justinian’s Code of Laws Laws were fairer to women. They could own property and raise their own children after their husbands died. Children allowed to choose their own marriage partners. Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their masters. Punishments were detailed and fit the crime His work inspired the modern concept and, indeed, the very spelling of "justice."

Empress Theodora Byzantine empress and consort of Justinian I She was a former actress and prostitute when she won the heart of the ambitious Justinian She eventually became his mistress, wife and the sharer of his throne in 527 A.D. During the Nika Riots of 532, Theodora saved the throne for herself and her husband by her courage. She lavished goods upon the poor, especially the unfortunate of her own sex.

Nika Riots of 532 Rioters begin attacking Justinian’s palace for 5 days and Senators whom had opposed Justinian began plotting with groups to unite and overthrow him Riots lead to arrests Justinian orders 1 green and 1 blue to death escape and protest begin Hippodrome was used as the meeting place of both factions Pay off blues Kill greens

Justinian’s legacy Hagia Sophia remained the seat of Eastern Christianity until the Fall of Constantinople. 552: Byzantine monks sneak silkworms and mulberry out of China. He was heavy-handed towards heresies In 529 he closed the philosophical school of Athens, thus destroying the last stronghold of paganism. He started expansive military campaigns and temporarily gained control over much of the old Roman Empire Art and architecture was elaborate- domed buildings, colored mosaics, and painted icons expressed an art linked to religion.

Hagia Sophia

Byzantine Empire under Justinian

Byzantine religion Byzantine Empire brings drastic changes 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 East Breakdown in authority over the church Religion in East controlled by ruling emperor and patriarch Patriarch = lead Bishop in the East Byzantine Emperors and Patriarchs were often in conflict with the Pope

icons Icons were used by Christians in the East to aid in worship Controversy over use Some saw it as idle worship Leo III banned Icon used in 730 AD  this led to Iconoclasm (smashing icons to end improper worship) The Pope claimed an Emperor had no authority to deal in issues of the Christian Church, but Byzantines viewed the Emperor as the decisive voice in Christian governance and practice

Great Schism Throughout the middle ages various differences in political organization, culture and economic organization and the various versions of Christianity help illustrate the rift between east and west. 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 In 1054 AD the Christian Church splits The patriarch and Pope excommunicate each other

The two Churches Services Conducted in Latin Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox Services Conducted in Latin Pope has authority over all bishops Pope has authority over all kings and emperors Priests cannot marry Services Conducted in Greek Patriarch and other bishops head the church Emperor has authority over Patriarch Priests can marry

Spread of EOC Opening trade with Russia Eastern Orthodox missionaries spread EOC to Slavs (Russians) St. Cyril and St. Methodius most successful missionaries They designed the Cyrillic Alphabet and allowed Slavs to read the bible in their native tongue

Byzantine Politics Resembled earlier Chinese system (emperor (patriarch) ordained by God and surrounded by an elaborate court ritual The “patriarch” ruled both church and state Women occasionally held the throne Elaborate bureaucracy Careful military organization Troops recruited locally and given land in return for service Empire socially and economically relied on Constantinople's control of the countryside

Decline of Byzantine Empire The plague hit the Empire during Emperor Justinian’s rein around 540 AD Killed large percentage of population From the Start of the Empire it was under constant attack Over time Empire lost more and more territory During the 11th century, a long period of decline began Muslim Turkish invaders and Russian armies shrink empire Independent Slavic states in Balkans formed 1204 – the 4th Crusade ends with Christians sacking the city of Constantinople 1453 – Empire officially dies with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

Legacy of Byzantine Empire Preserved Culture of the Greeks and Romans Great Schism split Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Justinian’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

Global Connections Byzantines were active in interregional trade Constantinople was one of the worlds greatest trading centers (geographical location) When Byzantium declined and the Mongols conquered Russia a period of isolation began By the 15th century, Russia began to regain independence and faced decisions about how to re- engage with the West