Byzantium A New Rome When the City of Rome fell, what happened to the heart of the Roman Empire?

Constantine Moved his capital to Byzantium in 330 AD and changed the name to Constantinople and Founded the Byzantine Empire Byzantium sits along the main land route from Europe to Asia Able to be defended very well because of a deep water port with sea gates Agriculturally rich area

Results of the move from Rome to Constantinople: Constantinople let go of Roman traditions and developed its own personality. Gradual split of Christian Church Roman Catholic—uses Latin Eastern Orthodox—uses Greek

Byzantium Flourished as a center for learning Scholars came from Athens, Antioch, and Alexandria where Greek philosophy was studied Great interest in the Classics. The “dark age” never happened for the East. Widespread influence throughout the “world.”

Emperor Justinian (527-565) Tried unsuccessfully to reunite the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. Reconquered several areas He and his wife Empress Theodora condensed Roman Law into a more efficient legal system that had a lasting influence.

Arts flourished Rich materials used – MOSAICS were an important medium Style is called hieratic A man should be 9 heads tall Hairline 1 nose above the forehead. Formal, frontal poses, long bodies Classical themes and styles

What are Mosaics? Mosaics are designs or pictures created by embedding small pieces of glass, stone, terracotta etc. into a bed of cement or other form of fixative.

History of Mosaics The art of mosaic has been practiced for thousands of years, but mosaic as we know it was developed into an art by the Greeks, who then passed their skills on to the Romans.

Elaborate scenes from nature were common.

Modern Mosaics: Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock

Byzantine Mosaics: Clues about roles exist in the work Royalty wear red shoes Royalty have hanging ornaments from their headwear Royalty are taller Court and church were heavily mingled Emperor seen as Vicar of God—God’s appointed ruler on Earth

Islamic Mosaics Different from the figurative representations in Byzantine art, Islamic motifs are mainly geometric and mathematical.

HAGIA SOPHIA Most important surviving work of Byzantine architecture Built by Justinian and Theodora as they rebuilt Constantinople The main dome, which had a diameter of over 108 feet was the biggest church dome until the fifteenth century.

Architects worked to build big and high Arches support the domes Supporting walls were enormous, so big that they had to be reinforced when they leaned. The resulting building is strong and impressive.

Turks defeated the Byzantines in 1456 Hagia Sophia became a mosque Concern about graven images resulted in the mosaics being plastered over. The church/mosque is now a museum. The plaster has been removed.

Restoration of the dome Restoration of the dome. Should the verses of the Koran be removed to show the mosaics underneath?

Crusaders invaded and cultures began to shift Rift between Roman Catholic church and Eastern Orthodox church widened The “loot” that crusaders brought back to the West stimulated interest that began the Renaissance