Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire Notes Emperor Justinian Constantinople Government Eastern Orthodox Church

Location

Constantinople The capital of the Byzantine Empire The capital of the Byzantine Empire Rebuilt by Emperor Constantine in the Roman style Rebuilt by Emperor Constantine in the Roman style Strategic location made it easy to defend Strategic location made it easy to defend Connected land & water trade routes between Europe & Asia which made the city and some of its inhabitants incredibly rich! Connected land & water trade routes between Europe & Asia which made the city and some of its inhabitants incredibly rich!

Life in Constantinople More advanced than Rome! More advanced than Rome! Hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, and unemployment programs helped the less fortunate Hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, and unemployment programs helped the less fortunate People attended chariot races at the Hippodrome—the Blues & Greens were rivals. People attended chariot races at the Hippodrome—the Blues & Greens were rivals.

Emperor Justinian I One of the greatest Byzantine rulers! He ruled from AD One of the greatest Byzantine rulers! He ruled from AD He beautified Constantinople by building new bridges, public baths, parks, roads, hospitals and many Christian churches. He beautified Constantinople by building new bridges, public baths, parks, roads, hospitals and many Christian churches. He tried to reconquer & reunite the former Roman Empire. He tried to reconquer & reunite the former Roman Empire.

Nike Riots January 532, a massive riot broke out in the Hippodrome during a chariot race. January 532, a massive riot broke out in the Hippodrome during a chariot race. The rioters protested the arrest of some of their team members. The rioters protested the arrest of some of their team members. Emperor Justinian & his wife, Theodora, hid in the palace while the city was in flames. Emperor Justinian & his wife, Theodora, hid in the palace while the city was in flames. Justinian’s advisors urged him to flee the city. Justinian’s advisors urged him to flee the city.

Empress Theodora

Theodora’s Advice “As to the belief that a woman should not be daring among men or assert herself boldly, I consider the present crisis does not allow us to debate that. My opinion is that now is a poor time for flight, even though it bring safety.... If now you wish to go, Emperor, nothing prevents you. There is the sea, 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. For my part, I like the old saying that “The Empire is fine burial cloth.”” as recorded by Procopius, c. 550 “As to the belief that a woman should not be daring among men or assert herself boldly, I consider the present crisis does not allow us to debate that. My opinion is that now is a poor time for flight, even though it bring safety.... If now you wish to go, Emperor, nothing prevents you. There is the sea, 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. For my part, I like the old saying that “The Empire is fine burial cloth.”” as recorded by Procopius, c. 550 What should Justinian do? What should Justinian do?

Result of the Nike Riots Justinian called out his army and put down the riots. Justinian called out his army and put down the riots. 30,000 rioters were killed and Constantinople lay in ruins. 30,000 rioters were killed and Constantinople lay in ruins. Justinian made reforms including; rebuilding and improving Constantinople, reforming the legal code, and gave women the right to own property and get an education. Justinian made reforms including; rebuilding and improving Constantinople, reforming the legal code, and gave women the right to own property and get an education.

Hagia Sophia First built by Emperor Justinian, today it is one of the most famous buildings in the world! First built by Emperor Justinian, today it is one of the most famous buildings in the world! “Glory to God who has judged me worthy of accomplishing such a work as this! O Solomon, I have Outdone you!” “Glory to God who has judged me worthy of accomplishing such a work as this! O Solomon, I have Outdone you!” --Emp. Justinian

Justinian’s Code Justinian organized a committee of legal experts to organize and update the laws they had inherited from the west. Justinian organized a committee of legal experts to organize and update the laws they had inherited from the west. The new legal code is known as Justinian’s Code. It became the basis for many legal codes in the western world. The new legal code is known as Justinian’s Code. It became the basis for many legal codes in the western world.

Romans vs. Byzantines Western Roman Empire Western Roman Empire -Popes & Bishops led the church and the Emperor led the government. -Latin was the main language. -Economy based on agriculture and fewer cities Byzantine Empire (East) -The emperor was more powerful because he was the head of the Church and the government. -Greek was the main language and culture -Economy based on trade, many cities and wealthier Byzantine Empire (East) -The emperor was more powerful because he was the head of the Church and the government. -Greek was the main language and culture -Economy based on trade, many cities and wealthier

Christianity The main religion of both empires. The main religion of both empires. Mosaics, pictures made with small pieces of colored stone, tile or glass, were popular decorations for churches and public buildings. Mosaics, pictures made with small pieces of colored stone, tile or glass, were popular decorations for churches and public buildings. The Great Schism in 1054 AD, was the first major split in Christianity. The Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches officially divided. Differences included the use of icons, celibacy of priests, language and leadership. The Great Schism in 1054 AD, was the first major split in Christianity. The Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches officially divided. Differences included the use of icons, celibacy of priests, language and leadership.

Conquest of the Byzantine Empire 1453 AD the Ottoman Turks, a Muslim Empire, captured Constantinople and defeated the empire AD the Ottoman Turks, a Muslim Empire, captured Constantinople and defeated the empire. The Turks renamed the city, Istanbul, and it became primarily Muslim. The Turks renamed the city, Istanbul, and it became primarily Muslim.

Comparing Justinian’s Code with California’s Code--Marriage Justinianic Code of Law: “Citizens are joined together in lawful wedlock when they are united according to law, the man having reached the years of puberty, and the woman being of a marriageable age...provided that...they have the consent of the parents.” Justinianic Code of Law: “Citizens are joined together in lawful wedlock when they are united according to law, the man having reached the years of puberty, and the woman being of a marriageable age...provided that...they have the consent of the parents.” “It is not every woman that can be taken as a wife: for marriage with certain classes of persons is forbidden...thus, father and daughter...brother and sister are prohibited from intermarriage. However, cousins can intermarry. A man cannot have two wives at the same time, nor can a woman have two husbands at the same time.” “It is not every woman that can be taken as a wife: for marriage with certain classes of persons is forbidden...thus, father and daughter...brother and sister are prohibited from intermarriage. However, cousins can intermarry. A man cannot have two wives at the same time, nor can a woman have two husbands at the same time.”

Marriage continued... California Code of Law: “Marriage is a personal relation developing from a legal contract between a man and a woman to which the consent of the bride and groom is necessary. Consent alone will not produce marriage...it must be licensed, solemnized (minister or judge), authenticated (witnessed) and the certificate of registry of marriage filed with the local county records.” “Any unmarried male of the age of 18 years or upwards, and any unmarried female of the age of 18 years or upwards, and not otherwise disqualified, are capable of consenting to and consummating marriage.”

“Any unmarried male of female under the age of 18 years is capable of marrying if each of the following documents are filed with the clerk issuing the marriage license: 1)the consent in writing of one of the parents of each person who is underage; 2)a court order granting permission to such underage person to marry; and 3)proof that each person under the age of 18 has participated in premarital counseling concerning social, economic, and personal responsibilities associated with marriage.” “Any unmarried male of female under the age of 18 years is capable of marrying if each of the following documents are filed with the clerk issuing the marriage license: 1)the consent in writing of one of the parents of each person who is underage; 2)a court order granting permission to such underage person to marry; and 3)proof that each person under the age of 18 has participated in premarital counseling concerning social, economic, and personal responsibilities associated with marriage.” “Marriages between parents and children, ancestors and descendants of every degree and brothers and sisters of the half as well as the whole blood...are illegal. The act of entering into a contracted marriage with one person while still legally married to another is illegal.” “Marriages between parents and children, ancestors and descendants of every degree and brothers and sisters of the half as well as the whole blood...are illegal. The act of entering into a contracted marriage with one person while still legally married to another is illegal.”

Scenario Jim Nastics is the 23 year-old son of an unemployed magician; he travels the carnival circuit as a knife-juggling, acrobatic clown. Wilma B. McBride, his girlfriend, comes from a wealthy family and is a 29 year-old fashion designer in the process of divorcing her first husband. While Jim’s parents support their son’s wish to marry Wilma, Wilma’s parents are very much against the idea. Indeed, Wilma’s father told her she is forbidden to marry Jim. Jim Nastics is the 23 year-old son of an unemployed magician; he travels the carnival circuit as a knife-juggling, acrobatic clown. Wilma B. McBride, his girlfriend, comes from a wealthy family and is a 29 year-old fashion designer in the process of divorcing her first husband. While Jim’s parents support their son’s wish to marry Wilma, Wilma’s parents are very much against the idea. Indeed, Wilma’s father told her she is forbidden to marry Jim.

Critical Thinking! 1. Under the Justinian Code of Law, could Jim Nastics and Wilma B. McBride marry? Why or why not? 1. Under the Justinian Code of Law, could Jim Nastics and Wilma B. McBride marry? Why or why not? 2. Under the CA Code of Law, could Jim and Wilma marry? Why or why not? 2. Under the CA Code of Law, could Jim and Wilma marry? Why or why not? 3. What do you think the law should be regarding marriage? 3. What do you think the law should be regarding marriage?