Ancient Rome & The Origin of Christianity

The Eastern Orthodox Church What was Byzantium? Emperor Justinian The Eastern Orthodox Church What will we learn?

Byzantium: The New Rome Setting the Stage Due to Germanic Invasions, the Western Roman Empire had collapsed For nearly 1,000 years after the collapse of the Western Empire, Byzantium in the east would continue to thrive and build upon its Roman foundations Byzantium: The New Rome

Byzantium

Byzantium: The New Rome Why was Byzantium called The New Rome? Simple: it was Roman Byzantium had Roman emperors, architecture, culture, and Christianity Byzantine emperors ruled with absolute power- head of church as well There were differences such as they spoke Greek instead of Latin

Byzantium: The New Rome Why was Byzantium wealthier? Byzantium was located in the middle of several trade routes that allowed it to prosper Weren’t prone to the Germanic attacks like the Western Empire Byzantium: The New Rome

Byzantium: The New Rome Emperor Justinian Takes control of the Byzantium in 527 AD Set up the Justinian Code: uniform set of laws created from outdated Roman laws The Justinian Code served as the legal basis for criminal justice, marriage, property, slavery, & women’s rights The law code became one of the most important legacies of the Byzantine Empire & served as the basis for laws for the next 900 years Built many churches including the Hagia Sophia, hailed as the most splendid church in Christian world Plagues and attacks cause the Byzantine Empire to fall after death of Justinian

The Hagia Sophia

The Division of Christianity Because of the distance & lack of contact between Byzantine Empire & Western Europe, Christianity developed differently –All Christians based their faith on Jesus & the Bible –But they had different practices to show their faith

The Division of christianity Christians were organized the same way: Archbishops & bishops oversaw regions where Christianity was practiced Priests led individual churches But, Christians in the East & West disagreed over leadership of the Church

Divisions in christianity Christians in Western Europe: –Believed that there should be a Pope to oversee bishops & give authority to all Christians –Christians in Western Europe accepted the authority of the Pope Christians in Eastern Europe: –Believed that the Byzantine Emperor had authority over issues involving Christianity –Byzantine emperors relied on a Patriarch to oversee the church, but the emperor had final authority –Christians in the Byzantine Empire did not accept the authority of the Pope Divisions in christianity

Byzantium: The New Rome Result: The Roman Empire dwindled into oblivion allowing the Middle Ages to begin. However, in the east Byzantium held on for a few more centuries, which resulted in a split in Christianity and eventually would set up a bigger conflict: Christianity vs. Islam.

Constructive Response Questions Citing specific examples, what factors allowed Byzantium to prosper while the west floundered? Constructive Response Questions