Aim: Describe Justinian’s Achievements in Constantinople

A New Rome in New Setting Roman leaders had divided the empire in 395 Due to difficulties in communication East and West 527- Justinian succeeded uncle to throne High-ranking Byzantine nobleman Justinian ruled almost all territory that Rome had ruled Like Caesars, Byzantine emperor ruled with absolute power 2

Justinian Achievements Having unified the two empires, Justinian set up a panel of legal experts to regulate Byzantium’s society Panel created Justinian’s Code Single uniform code that consisted of 4 works Code, Digest, Institutes, Novellae Code decided legal questions that regulated life Ex: Marriage, slavery, property, inheritance, women’s rights, and criminal justice Justinian launched most ambitious public building program Rebuilt fortification of Constantinople Crowning glory was Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) Church that turned into a mosque 3

Constantinople Education & Entertainment Byzantine families valued education Classical learning Modern world owes Byzantine scholars a huge debt for preserving many of the great works for Greece and Rome Main street running through Constantinople was the Mese (Middle Way) Citizens enjoyed free entertainment at the Hipodrome Offered wild chariot races and performance acts 4