Byzantine Empire
Justinian I & Theodora Ruled together as co-emperor and co-empress Built the Hagia Sophia beginning a new age of architectural and cultural rebuilding under the Christian faith Justinian’s code- a collection of civil laws and interpretations created in 529 AD. It revived Roman law and created one standard throughout the Empire. It also included precedents on how to handle punishments
The Golden Age wasn’t all Golden… In 532 AD some political factions started protesting the emperor in the Hippodrome. This event became known as the Nika riots. Justinian wanted to flee Constantinople, but Theodora advised against it. He sealed the race course and had all 30,000 protestors executed solidifying his control.
Hagia Sophia Justinian's great church was intended to be the new center of Christianity and was completed in 537. It had a dome 102 ft in diameter that was based on the design of the pantheon in Rome.
Their general Belisarius To reunite his people, Justinian began and expansion campaign to reclaim old Western Roman territory. Belisarius lead a campaign against Persia In 533 And and the next year he fought in North Africa to restore Carthage to Justinian’s empire as well. Finally, he took Sicily and used it the island to reclaim the Italian peninsula in 535 and 536 AD.
Balkans Constantinople was the capitol of the Byzantine Empire. Located on the Bosporus Strait, which connected the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea it served as a key trading route between Europe and Asia.
The Great Schism Some Christians began using icons in church services because many people were illiterate. Others opposed showing devotion to icons because of scripture. The controversy between the two groups lasted many years, and caused political issues. In 1054 AD the Christian church split and became two churches forever. This is known as the Great Schism.
John of Damascus He wrote many books about Christianity and many hymns that are still used in Catholic churches today. He was a Syrian monk known as “the Golden Speaker” because he strongly defended use of icons in an essay Apologetic Treaty. In it he attacked the emperor and used simple language to involve the people.
Saints Cyril and Methodius Christian missionaries and brothers who converted the Slavs (people of the Balkans). They were considered equal to apostles because of their work spreading Christianity. Today they are the Patron Saints of Europe and have a feast day on the Roman Catholic calendar.