Byzantine Empire Module 4, Lesson 1

Byzantine Empire Why it Matters Now: Byzantine culture deeply influenced Orthodox Christianity, a major branch of modern Christianity. Key Terms and People: Justinian Justininan Code Hagia Sophia Patriarch Icon Excommunication Cyrillic alphabet Byzantine Empire

Map of Byzantine Empire

A New Rome in a New Setting Justinian becomes ruler in 527 AD Quickly regained lands in North Africa Attacked Rome and took control after years of invasions Ruled with absolute power This includes the church A New Rome in a New Setting

Byzantines spoke Greek, rather than the Latin that most Romans did. Life in New Rome Byzantines spoke Greek, rather than the Latin that most Romans did. Justinian creates legal system that updated and helped unify the two empires Justinian Code The Code: Used over 5000 useful Roman codes that already existed The Digest: Quotes and opinion written about the laws The Institute: Textbook that told law students how to use the laws. The Novellae: New laws passed after 534 Code lasts for almost 900 years

Creating the Imperial Capital Constantinople Justinian creates massive public building program Rebuilt capital Constructed 14 mile stone wall Church building Hagia Sophia “Holy Wisdom” Greatest example of Byzantine architecture Most art inspired by Church Other contributions: Baths, aqueducts, law courts, schools, hospitals Hagia Sophia Video

Greco-Roman culture is preserved Classical learning Constantinople’s Hectic Pace Market stalls lined the main street Free entertainment at Hippodrome Nika Rebellion Fans formed two groups Rioted and demanded the overthrow of Justinian Troops broke in slaughtered 30,000 Justinian’s wife, Theodora convinced Justinian to stay

Empire Falls Plague of Justinian Attacks Approx. 10,000 people died per day! Continues till about 700 AD Attacks Basically everyone in the area attacked: Slavs, Russians, Muslims, Persians, Avars, Bulgars. Byzantines tried bribes, diplomacy, marriage, and military Kingdom shrinks and ends when Ottoman Turks conquer it in 1453.

Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdom Invasions of Western Europe Changes caused Disruption of Trade Downfall of Cities Population shifts Decline of Learning Loss of Common Language

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge Replaced Roman provinces Idea of Government changed Family ties and personal loyalty Governed by unwritten rules, traditions Loyal only to chief Disgraceful to outlive chief No obligation to obey king they didn’t know

Clovis Rules the Franks Brings Christianity to Gaul United Franks into one kingdom Unites with Church

Germans Adopt Christianity Missionaries, politics Fear of Muslim attacks Monasteries, Convents, Manuscripts Charitable activities Benedict Developed strict rules for monasteries Centers of education Schools, libraries, copied books Economic and political power Military and political advisors Life of a Monk

Papal Power Expands under Gregory I Increased the power of the papacy Secular Pope’s palace becomes center of Roman government All European churches his responsibility

An Empire Evolves Charles Martel “Charles the Hammer” More powerful than king Expanded Frank kingdom Defeated Muslims at Battle of Tours in 732 Pepin the Short Carolingian Dynasty

Charlemagne Becomes Emperor Conquered land; spread Christianity Saved Pope from attack Crowned Emperor Leads a revival Limited power of nobles Demanded fair governing Encouraged learning; palace school Heirs Son crowned as emperor Future sons would fight over empire Kingdom division results into Feudalism