Byzantine Empire “The New Rome”

Roman Empire split in 395 C.E. Constantinople became the center for trade and cultural diffusion Strategically located where Europe meets Asia

“New Rome” Emperors were Roman They originally spoke Latin (later adopted the Greek language) Wealthy families came from Rome Eventually, Greek traditions were adopted Developed Orthodox Religion Between 500-1200 CE, one of the most advanced civilizations in the world

Justinian Became emperor in 527 CE Set up a panel of 10 experts to compile a law code “Justinian Code” Became the foundation of law in most Western European countries Compilation of early Roman laws and legal principals

He conquered Italy, Northern Africa, and Spain This proved costly for the empire Exhausted funds and resources Empire was lost within a generation

Theodora Justinian’s wife Focused on improving social status of women Was considered a pioneer of feminism

Hagia Sophia Church rebuilt by Justinian Used arches and pillars to make a dome ceiling Filled with mosaics

Hagia Sophia

Use of the arch

Art- mosaics Theodora and her court

Hippodrome Offered chariot races and circus acts

Muslim Conquest In 1453, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople. Renamed the city, Istanbul. Hagia Sophia was changed from a Christian church to a Muslim mosque.

The Church Divides In 730, Emperor Leo III (Byz) banned the use of icons Iconoclasts (icon breakers) broke into churches to destroy images Tension between churches grew for years In 1054, the pope and patriarch (bishop of the East) excommunicated each other

Schism- permanent split of the Christian Church Roman Catholic in the West Eastern Orthodox in the East Blue- Roman Catholic Red- Eastern Orthodox Purple- Protestant (1500’s) Green- Islam

Schism Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox Service in Latin Pope had authority over bishops Pope claims authority over all kings and emperors Priests may NOT marry Divorce is NOT permitted Services in Greek Patriarchs and bishops head the church together Emperor claims authority over church Priests may marry Divorce is allowed

The early Cyrillic alphabet Converting the Slavs Saint Methodius and St. Cyril Invented Cyrillic alphabet Vernacular bible The early Cyrillic alphabet А Б В Г Д Є Ж Ѕ З И І К Л М Н О П Ҁ Р С Т Ѹ Ф Х Ѡ Ц Ч Ш Щ Ъ ЪІ Ь Ѣ Ю ІА Ѧ Ѩ Ѫ Ѭ Ѯ Ѱ Ѳ Ѵ Ѥ