The Byzantine Empire

The Roman empire, divided in the late AD200’s, was weakened by internal and external forces. Power shifted to the east, as Germanic invaders weakened the western half of the once great Roman empire.

By 330, the emperor Constantine, had built a new capital city in Constantinople on the site of the Greek city Byzantium. The Byzantine empire arose from this site.

At its height, the Byzantine empire covered an area from Rome through southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, down to Egypt and across North Africa.

The city of Constantinople, was on a peninsula overlooking the Bosporus, a strait connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. From its central location, the city controlled key trade routes that liked Europe and Asia.

The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian. Justinian was a autocratic ruler, or single ruler with complete authority.

Emperor Justinian became known for his collection of ancient laws known as Justinian’s Code. This written set of laws became the basis today’s international laws.

In the area of architecture, Justinian blended Greek, Roman, Persian and Middle Eastern styles. The best known structure is the Church of Hagia Sophia whose name means “Holy Wisdom”

In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great contributions In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great contributions. Icons were images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and others. These icons were supposed to create the sense that the holy person was actually present.

Byzantine artists also developed Mosaics, pictures or designs formed by inlaid pieces of stone or other materials. Mosaics often displayed religious themes.

In 1054, permanent split or schism occurred between the Orthodox Christian Church in the East and the Roman Catholic Church in the West.

The decline of the Byzantine empire came with the onset of invading armies. The final blow came at the hands of the Ottoman empire in 1453.

The Byzantine empire hoped to preserve Greek and Roman culture and also strongly influenced the first Russian state. As Russia traded with the Byzantine empire, the Byzantines influenced both Russian and eastern European development.

The Byzantines gave Russia a written language The Byzantines gave Russia a written language. Two Byzantine missionaries adapted the Greek alphabet. This new system, called the Cyrillic alphabet is still used in Russia today.

Byzantine missionaries carried Orthodox Christianity to Russia and other Eastern European nations.

Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler. Autocratic rulers in Russia were known as czars. Czar is the Russian word for Caesar.

The Byzantine empire had its influence in the development of history The Byzantine empire had its influence in the development of history. Emerging out of the once strong Roman empire, the Byzantines develop a written set of law and strongly influence art and architecture of the time. The Byzantine empire preserved the Greek, Roman and Persian achievements as well as influencing the development of Russia and Eastern Europe.

Periodization Early Middle Ages Or Dark Ages : 500 – 1000 High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250 Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500

The Germanic Kingdoms When last we were in Europe… Western Roman Empire was collapsing 476 A.D. – last Western emperor was deposed Germanic tribes had spread throughout the old territory of the Empire Byzantine Empire was thriving Christianity was well established What does this mean? population shifts to rural areas unifying factors of the empire start to diminish decline of literacy

The Germanic Kingdoms

The Geography of Europe Europe is a continent. a peninsula made up of smaller peninsulas within 300 miles of the sea mountains and rivers – encouraged trade, provided safety, and separated cultures rivers – Rhine, Danube, Vistula, Volga, Seine, etc. mountains – Alps, Carpathians, etc.

Europe in the 6th Century

Who Were the Franks? c. A.D. 400 – the Franks settled modern day France Clovis – Frankish king who became a Catholic breakdown of royal duties – mayors of the palace

Who Were the Franks? Charles Martel – famous mayor of the palace who wanted to reunite Europe A.D. 732 – defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours Pepin the Short – became king of the Franks (with help); defended the pope against the Lombards (Papal States)

Who Was Charlemagne? Charlemagne – Charles the Great defended pope, again defeated the Saxons in Germany and converted them regained parts of Spain from the Muslims Christmas Day, A.D. 800 – Pope Leo III crowned him Roman Emperor Already was a “Roman Emporer” in Constantinople Charlemagne was a Frank Divided Christianity

Charlemagne: 742 to 814

Charlemagne’s Empire

Who Was Charlemagne? He was the grandson of Charles Martel leadership style set up courts sent out “the lord’s messengers” strong belief in education (perhaps because of his own shortcomings) focus on religion, music, literature, arithmetic, Latin

Pope Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800

Who Was Charlemagne? Charlemagne’s impact united a large portion of Europe defended Christianity and the Church spread Christianity supported education empire disintegrated after his death

Europe Is Invaded While Charlemagne’s Grandsons Divide His Empire Europe after the Treaty of Verdun, 843 A.D.

Europe Is Invaded A.D. 800s and 900s were not good times… Magyars Muslims Vikings Vikings, a.k.a. Norsemen (“north men”) Scandinavia top-notch sailors courtesy of their longboats feared raiders

Europe Is Invaded Vikings Why raid? geography - fjords – steep sided valleys that are inlets of the sea part of the Norse mythology culture – “Valhalla” known for their ferocity and violence Normandy

Viking Raids Sailing Skills First Targets Little Time Vikings superb ship builders, sailors Ships capable of withstanding heavy ocean waves; crews as many as 100 Skills at navigation allowed crossing great expanses of ocean First Targets First targets of raids were eastward toward modern day Russia, but there was little wealth there Secondary targets became England, northern France, then even Paris Little Time People lived in fear, had no warning that Vikings were coming Fast-moving ships approached target quickly Vikings killed, captured defenders; took what they could find, sailed away

Europe Is Invaded

Favorite Targets Viking Settlements Among favorite Viking targets, monasteries Monks not warriors, monasteries easy to plunder Fine treasures, jeweled crosses, golden candlesticks stolen Vikings not Christians, had no problems stealing religious items Viking Settlements Not all Vikings who left Scandinavia raiders, some explorers One place settled by Vikings, Iceland; first arrived late 700s Viking society thrived there for centuries, longer than in Europe 982, Viking explorers reached Greenland 100 years later, Leif Eriksson reached North America

Viking warriors also settled in northern France Normandy Viking warriors also settled in northern France Led by chief named Rollo, attacked France many times King of France made deal with Rollo Rollo to stop raids, defend Frankish lands against other Vikings King to give Rollo land Rollo accepted, area became known as Normandy, land of Northmen

The Magyars Nomads Raids Vikings terrorized northern, western Europe; Magyars invaded from east Magyars nomads from central Asia who settled in what is now Hungary Fierce warriors Not sailors, skilled riders who outmaneuvered opponents on horseback Planned raids carefully, attacking smaller settlements Nomads Raided eastern France, Germany, northern Italy, western Byzantine Empire Eventually gave up nomadic ways, but lost battle advantage of running from opposing armies Mid-900s, German king Otto the Great crushed Magyar army, ending raids Raids

Assessment Summarize In what ways did Justinian contribute to the flourishing of the Byzantine empire after the decline of Rome? Identify What was the impact of political and legal ideas contained in Justinian's Code? Explain What impact did the fall of Rome have on Western Europe? Describe How did Germanic tribes carve Europe into small kingdoms? Explain How did Charlemagne briefly reunite much of Western Europe, and what happened to his empire after his death?