Byzantine Empire

Fall of Rome Lots of causes that we have discussed 370 CE – the Huns invade Northern Europe People of Northern Europe (Germanic Tribes) invade Rome to get away from them Series of battles between Rome and tribes

Continued attacks 410 CE – Germanic tribes get to city of Rome, plunder the entire city 476 CE – Western Roman Empire dies – Last emperor a 14 year old boy – no one wanted to be emperor anymore – Question we will look at today: why does Western Rome die, and Eastern Rome stay?

Foundation of Constantinople 330 CE – Roman emperor Constantine gives up on Rome, makes new capital, Constantinople – Formerly Byzantium Rome Constantinople

Why move the capital? What does Constantine hope to gain by moving capital? What advantages does Constantinople offer geography-wise?

Constantinople Easier to defend than Rome – On a peninsula – less sides to defend from armies Great trade location – closer to trade routes from Asia to Europe Chance to start over, build a Christian capital When Rome falls in 476 CE, Constantinople stays

476 CE, fall of Rome, but… Beginning of Byzantine Empire Civilization is going to combine Greek and Roman culture, continue their ideas for 1000 years after – Greek and Roman architecture – Spoke Greek – Based around Christianity

Justinian, Byzantine’s Greatest Emperor Justinian – ruled from 527 to 565 CE Preserves traditions of Greece and Rome – Takes a lot of territory back Red – Byz. Empire before Justinian Orange – Byz. Empire after Justinian

Chosen by God Byzantine emperors chosen by God, given advice from God – What does this mean about their power? Absolute power – can’t be questioned

Laws Justinian believes he needs new laws to rule empire Tried using Roman laws – Problems written in Latin, Byzantine Empire spoke Greek A lot of the laws were outdated Creates a panel to make new laws 534 CE - Justinian Code – 5,000 laws based on all kinds of ideas from Rome

Hagia Sophia Justinian’s crowning achievement Wanted to build most advanced church in the world – Wants his city to be destination for all Christians – Constantinople not just a Christian city, but THE Christian city Has church built that combines ideas of Roman buildings and early Christian buildings Hagia Sophia is an example of the heavy focus on Christianity in Byzantine Empire

Cultural Diffusers Byzantines believed they were Roman, continued working to live Roman lives Byzantines also spread their ideas to modern- day Russia – connected by rivers – Christianity, Cyrillic alphabet

Byzantines – still believe they are Romans If a man, convicted of some crime, is deported to an island, he loses the rights of a Roman citizen; whence it follows, that the children of a person thus banished cease to be under his power, exactly as if he were dead. Equally, if a son is deported, does he cease to be under the power of his father? But, if by favor of the emperor anyone is restored, he regains his former position in every respect.

Justinian’s wife Theodora, most powerful woman in Byzantine Empire During Nika Riots, Justinian was advised by generals to leave city Theodora says to stay: – “My opinion is that now is a poor time for flight, even though it bring safety. For any man who has seen the light of day will also die, but one who has been an emperor cannot endure to be a fugitive. If now you wish to go, Emperor, nothing prevents you. There is the seas, there are the steps to the boats. But take care that after you are safe, you do not find that you would gladly exchange that safety for death.”

Schism Schism - Eastern Orthodox religion splits from Roman Catholic religion Western Europe and Eastern Europe develop different ways of practicing Christianity Western Europe – pope, Latin language Eastern Europe – no pope, Greek language 1054 – disputes continue, Pope and leader of Byzantine religion excommunicate each other – Excommunicate – declare someone an outcast from the church After schism of 1054, Christianity never again unified

Entertainment Chariot racing in hippodrome the biggest form of entertainment Could seat 60,000 people Fans a lot like soccer hooligans today Would dress in color of favorite racer, move in groups, fight other groups of fans Nika Riot – fans riot against government, feel Justinian is too strict with a few fans who did wrong – Nearly burn the city to the ground before Byzantine army kills 30,000 fans