The Byzantine Empire (330 – 1453) Chapter 9 (1 of 4) Click here for intro video on Byzantine Empire

Rome Empire Spans Across Europe Roman Empire had west Europe and east Europe part Constantinople capital of eastern part of empire Even had separate emperor Roman Empire had west Europe and east Europe part Constantinople capital of eastern part of empire Even had separate emperor Mediterranean Sea North Africa

The eastern part of the now defeated Roman Empire became Byzantine Empire Germanic invaders conquered Roman Empire, but eastern part held off the invaders Rome Falls, Byzantium Rises

The New Rome? Byzantine Empire took the mantle of the Roman Empire While Roman culture affected Byzantines, they were influenced more by Greek culture Example: Replaced Latin with Greek as the main language Greek language Latin language

Byzantines Advance Civilization in Eastern Europe Trade increased Merchant class lost power b/c government controlling trade Trade Byzantine Empire ruled by an emperor Had huge bureaucracy of well trained bureaucrats to help him rule (similar to dynasties of China) Emperor

Byzantines Fended Off Many Invasions Germanic invaders from western Europe Sassanian Empire from the Middle East

Justinian Became emperor of Byzantine Empire in 533 Many people in empire against his expansion, and this would cause problems for him Tried to expand west to regain land and restore Roman Empire Wife Theodora urged him to expand – she later became empress (showed women could rise to power)

Justinian’s Accomplishments 1)Rebuilt Constantinople with beautiful Roman style domes (it had been destroyed during riots over high taxes) 2)Hagia Sophia – Huge new church built by Justinian, was biggest domed building in world 3)Legal Code – Justinian made a uniform set of laws for the empire (by coordinating existing Roman laws) Click picture above for tour of the Hagia Sophia

Flavius Belisarius Great Byzantine general for Justinian Gained land for Byzantines in north Africa and Italy

Justinian’s Military Failure Couldn’t hold land he conquered Constant warfare hurt empire at home where it was invaded Persians got land in Middle East, Slavic groups took land in Balkans War expensive, led to extremely high taxes Balkans

Arab Attacks Main concern for emperors after Justinian was defending the empire from invasions Though they lost land to the Arabs, the Byzantines were able to hold them off

Arabs had built large navy and were constantly invading Constantinople While they held off the Arabs, it was very costly, and taxes rose Greek Fire – form of napalm used by Byzantines to fight off Arab navy Click image above for more on Greek fire

The Byzantine Yo-Yo After Arab invasion was stopped, Byzantines went through alternating times of prosperity and weakness Bulgaria - a Slavic kingdom in the north Balkans that often attacked Byzantine Empire Arab pressure continued

Byzantine emperor who defeated Bulgaria in 1014 He blinded over 15,000 captives Bulgaria becomes part of Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire Shines Despite constant invasions, Byzantine Empire grew large and was pretty successful For a brief time in the late 900s, Byzantine emperor was the strongest monarch on earth Wonderful popular entertainment in Constantinople that awed visitors Constantinople was a beautiful city with great buildings