Rise of Byzantine Empire Justinian Byzantine Ruler

476 CE Western Roman Empire falls. Of little consequence to Eastern Empire which was thriving and growing Unique location: defenses of Constantinople protected it from invasions, along major trades routes, supremacy of Emperor, no single powerful religious ruler like a Pope Rise of the Byzantine Empire 5 th Century

Once of the most successful and powerful of all Roman/Byzantine Emperors Wanted to regain Italy and North Africa from the Goths and Vandals Ends up conquering Italy, North Africa, Sicily, Greece, Armenia, Persia and building a new empire Created the Justinian Code- Was created as single uniform code Justinian ( CE)

Corpus Juris Civilis--Codification of law under Justinian, becomes the basis for modern law and Orthodox/Catholic law w Codex--organized list of Roman law and Byzantine law code Digests--important responses that set precedents Institutes--a manual for law students Novels--compilation of decisions during Justinian’s time Justinian

Saw himself as both “priest and king” His growing power in Constantinople puts the Eastern Christian Church in greater conflict with the Western Christian Church Justinian’s Building Programs included Baths, Aqueducts, law courts, schools, palaces, and hospitals. Justinian

Great Schism 1054 CE The Eastern (orthodox Church) and the Western (Catholic Church) break apart