The Byzantine Empire

I. After the Fall of Rome 330, Emperor Constantine moved Empire’s capital to Byzantium, later renamed Constantinople 395 – Roman Empire officially split between East and West empires Two emperors share equal power After decline of west, eastern Roman Empire would last another 1000 years Becomes known as Byzantine Empire The state of the Roman Empire by 476.

II. A New Power 527 C.E. – Justinian, a Byzantine noble- man, takes throne of eastern empire Sent his armies to reconquer western territories North Africa, Italy, parts of Spain eventually reclaimed in name of Rome Ruled over almost all of the territory that was once originally Roman Empire Ruled with absolute power Head of empire and church Led to a new age of Roman influence and domination

III. New Roman Culture The Byzantine Empire developed its own culture separate from that of the western empire Latin no longer most popular language, most people spoke Greek Restructuring of Roman Law Justinian Code – based on 400 years of Roman law, made up of four works: Code: contained 5,000 Roman laws still considered useful Digest: summarized opinions of Rome’s greatest legal thinkers Institutes: textbook explaining how to use laws Novellae: means New Laws, anything passed after the year 534 Covered everything: marriage, slavery, women’s rights, criminal law, and much more Lasted over 900 years as dominant law

III. Continued… Preservation of Greco-Roman culture Education focused on Greek & Latin grammar, philosophy Byzantine scholars helped preserve many scholarly works from Ancient Greece and Rome Along with Muslim scholars, would help influence the Renaissance in western Europe Justinian ordered the building and construction of many great projects 14-mile stone wall along city coast Hagia Sophia – once considered greatest church in Christian world Public baths, aqueducts, courts, schools

IV. Split in Christian Church When Roman Empire split, Christianity began to develop differently in east & west Causes: distance and lack of contact/communication Disagreements on practices/beliefs – use of icons, behavior of Christians In east: Patriarch was leading bishop, but Emperor head of church In west: the pope was head of church Arguments between the eastern patriarch and western pope led to permanent split Roman Catholic Church in west Orthodox Church in east

V. End of another empire Justinian dies in 565 C.E. Byzantine Empire faces a continuous stream of problems after his death Plague of Justinian Began before Justinian’s death (Justinian himself survived the disease) 542 C.E. – 10,000 people a day were dying Would come and go until the year 700 Killed up to 25% of population

V. concluded. Outside invaders Sassanid Persians in the east Muslim armies from south Lombards in the west Avars, Slavs, Bulgars in north Empire slowly shrank due to constant attacks 1350 – reduced to tip of Anatolia City of Constantinople held until 1453