The Eastern Roman Empire

Why would Buford High School need to split? WARM-UP Why would Buford High School need to split?

Western Rome SPLITS EASTERN ROME

Western Rome EASTERN ROME Byzantine

After the Roman empire collapsed in the West, the Eastern Roman Empire became the center of civilization. - The capital of the Eastern Roman Empire was Byzantium or Constantinople as it came to be known.

Due to its location, it controlled trade between Asia and Europe.

Politics in Constantinople Senate still met as in Rome but the emperor had absolute power. Emperors were the head of both the church and the state. Religion was closely linked to politics. Justinian was a strong and important emperor.

Justinian Justinian became emperor in 527 and ruled until 565. He launched 3 ambitious projects during his reign: 1. He tried to re-conquer Roman lands to the west. 2. He ordered a team of Greek and Latin scholars to compile and simplify the laws.

Justinian He undertook a massive building program in Constantinople. - His works on the city and the laws were of lasting value to civilization. His wars, however, proved to be a waste of men and $$$. After his death, all the conquered territory quickly passed back to the barbarians.

Justinian’s most important contribution was his Code. The Code of Justinian summarized the laws of many of the provinces of the Roman Empire from the last 400 years. Using these summaries, Justinian created new laws.

Some important principles of Roman Law: All persons had the right to equal treatment under the law. A person was considered innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof rested with the accuser rather than the accused. A person should be punished only for actions, not for thoughts. Any law that seemed unreasonable or unfair could be set aside.

Code of Justinian Law students were taught how to use the code. And it was the basis for Byzantine law for the next 900 years!

Does our legal code need some Spring cleaning?? Listen to these . . .

Georgia’s Crazy Laws It is illegal to use profanity in front of a dead body which lies in a funeral home or in a coroners office. Donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs. Persons under the age of 16 may not play pinball after 11:00 PM. (Athens-Clarke County) The fine for waving a gun in public is higher than actually shooting it. (Columbus)

Theodora, Justinian’s Wife Answer questions, using p. 303

Theodora - Theodora recognized the right of women and made sure others did too. - Through her influence, laws were made protecting women and granting women greater benefits in divorce cases.

Religion was important to the Byzantine Empire. People debated issues such as the nature of God and Jesus. The church was connected to the government. Conflicts over icons weakened the empire. Icons were pictures of Mary, Jesus, and holy figures that were sold in markets.

Icons

Those that objected to these figures were called iconoclasts. Religion Many objected to the use of icons because they felt people prayed to them as if they were idols. Those that objected to these figures were called iconoclasts. Remember the 10 Commandments . . . .

Deuteronomy 5:8-9 (King James Version)  8Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:   9Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, … 

Iconoclasts were one of the reasons the Christian church split in 1054 A.D. The Great Schism Other reasons: 1. Pope in Rome supported the use of icons, the Byzantine emperor didn’t.

East v. West 2. The pope led the church in Rome, the patriarch led the Eastern Church. - The bishop of Constantinople was known as the patriarch.

East v. West 3. The pope in Rome claimed to be the leader of all Christians. However, the patriarch refused to accept the pope’s authority.

Religious Split 4. Priest of the eastern empire conducted services in the local language of their member. Priests in western Europe conducted services only in Latin. 5. Roman priests could not marry, while Eastern priests did.

Religious Split The break between Rome and Constantinople became final in 1054. That year the pope and patriarch excommunicated each other. Excommunicate: they were declared “outside the church”, cut off from all Christians.

Religious Split The western branch of the Christian Church became known as the Roman Catholic Church. (Catholic comes from a Latin word meaning “universal”.) The eastern branch became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church. (Orthodox comes from 2 Greek words means “correct belief.”)

The Division of Christianity Christians in Western Europe became the Roman Catholic Church Christians in Eastern Europe became the Eastern Orthodox Church The Division of Christianity

Religion in Europe Today

Christian Church Spilt – p.305

ISLAM

Rise of a New Faith After Justinian's death, much of his empire was reconquered by barbarian groups. Then armies of Arabs, inspired by the prophet Muhammad, burst forth from the Arabian desert and threatened the Byzantine empire’s very survival.

The Spread of Islam In the 600s Arab victories claimed the lands in Syria, Palestine, Egypt, northern Africa and Spain. Bedouins were the Arabs from the desert who were nomads and worshipped many gods and spirits.

The Spread of Islam The Bedouins believed spirits called jinn were thought to reside in rocks and other natural objects. Mecca was home to the most sacred rock. The Black Stone of Mecca was embedded within the wall of a shrine called the Kaaba, which in Arabic means “cube”.

Kaaba The Kaaba contains idols representing 360 gods. Pilgrims traveled to this shrine in the holy months, making Mecca an important religious center. In this busy town, around the year 570, Muhammad was born.

Muhammad's Life Orphaned at six Was not literate Was a successful merchant Came to believe in one god, Allah (the same god worshipped by the Jews and Christians)

Mohammed created Islam Islam means “surrender to God.” The Koran contains the teachings of Mohammed.

The Five Pillars of Islam Faith Prayer Alms Fasting Pilgrimage

Islam spread through jihads or “holy wars.” Muslims conquered Spain, Portugal, North Africa, Palestine, and the Fertile Crescent. The Koran written in Arabic was considered the only true word so it spread easily through Arab lands.

Muslim Empire

Arabs were tolerant rulers who treated the Jews and Christians with respect.

Islam split into two sects. Shi’ites are the minority group who believe that Mohammed’s grandson, Husayn, was the rightful caliph. Caliph: a political and religious leader who followed Muhammad. The Sunni are the orthodox Muslims and are in the majority in the Muslim world.

Accomplishments of Islam Translated Greek books into Arabic First chemical laboratories Treatment of disease (diagnosed smallpox and wrote an encyclopedia of medicine)

Accomplishments of Islam Created algebra Arabic numerals Wrote the Arabian Nights – folktales about Alladin’s magic lamp and stories of Sinbad the Sailor.

Essential Questions 1). How did the Byzantines help to preserve Greco-Roman culture? 2). What various methods did the Byzantines use to hold off their enemies? 3). Why did Eastern Christians rebel against Emperor Leo III in 730?

Critical Thinking Skills 1). Why do you think Justinian decided the time had come to reform Roman law?