Welcome to the Byzantine Empire After the Western Roman Empire fell to German barbarian invasions in the 5th century, the Eastern Roman Empire, with its capital at Constantinople, repelled the invasions and went on to survive for 1000 more years, preserving and spreading the culture of ancient Greeks and Romans Welcome to the Byzantine Empire

Constantinople: A Strategic City Where Europe & Asia Meet

Located on a peninsula that overlooked the Bosporus Strait Controlled movement between Med. & Black Seas Key trade center between East & West

The Golden Horn Natural protection from invaders: water on 3 sides Triple Walls fortified open side

Justinian and Theodora Justinian was a 6th century Byzantine Emperor considered one if its greatest rulers & his wife Theodora was very influential in his reign Theodora was concerned with improving the social standing of women; urged Justinian to give women more rights Theodora urged Justinian not to flee when taxpayers revolted (Nika Rebellion) Justinian stayed and his army crushed the rebels

Theodora & Her Attendants

Justinian and His Attendants

Belasarius Expands Empire Belasarius was a peasant with little military experience He was a friend of Theodora’s. Led the troops that crushed Nika Rebellion Appointed general of Byzantine armies which fought a series of wars against the Vandals, Ostrogoths & Visigoths Byzantines conquered these Germanic groups and extended their rule in the west

Conflict in the Christian Church Argument over use of icons (religious images) in worship AD 726 Emperor Leo III ordered all icons removed from churches b/c he believed they encouraged superstition and the worship of idols Emperor’s supporters known as iconoclasts (image breakers)

Church leaders resisted order and were supported by the Roman Pope Christian church in east and west argued over source of religious authority Pope in Rome said he was supreme leader of church Patriarch of Constantinople opposed this claim Eventually led to a schism (separation) in 1054 Roman Catholic Church in West and Eastern Orthodox Church in East

Byzantine Art Glorified religion Icons in homes, churches & shrines Mosaics - pictures made of many tiny pieces of colored glass or flat stone set in plaster Illuminated manuscript Subjects of Byzantine art appeared stiff and artificial with calm, meditative faces to inspire reverence

Byzantine Architecture Greatest form of Byzantine art Greatest masterpiece is church of Hagia Sophia, meaning “holy wisdom” Huge building in form of a cross; includes murals, mosaics, stone carvings and insets of ivory, silver and jewels Capped by huge dome that rests on massive columns

Hagia Sophia

Inside Hagia Sophia

Justinian’s Code Justinian had Roman laws codified and classified Omits repetitions, inconsistencies, and statutes dealing with Roman religion Preserved Rome’s legal heritage and later became the basis for most European legal systems

Justinian’s Accomplishments Expanded the Empire Created Justinian’s Code Commissioned rebuilding of Hagia Sophia Helped spread Christianity Increased women’s rights

Fall of Constantinople Ottoman Turks from central Asia attacked the Eastern provinces In AD 1453 the Ottomans laid siege to Constantinople

Byzantine Contributions Codified Roman law- Under the emperor Justinian, legal experts collected and arranged Roman law. Preserved Ancient Greek Civilization- the Byzantines had more in common with the Greeks than they did the Romans. They spoke Greek, and not Latin. Shielded Western Europe from Islamic Invaders. This above all else is the greatest accomplishment of the Byzantines. Why is this so significant?