The Byzantine Empire: The New Rome

Definitions 1.Rule of law  Government by law. The rule of law implies that government authority may only be exercised in accordance with written laws, which were adopted through an established procedure. 2.Autocrat  Ruler who has complete authority

The Division of the Roman Empire In 284 AD Diocletian became Roman emperor. He decided that the huge Roman empire could only be ruled effectively by splitting it into two parts. In 284 AD Diocletian became Roman emperor. He decided that the huge Roman empire could only be ruled effectively by splitting it into two parts.Diocletian

The Division of the Roman Empire From World History: Connections to Today Prentice Hall, 2003

Constantine In 330 Diocletian’s successor, Constantine, rebuilt the old Greek port of Byzantium, at the entrance to the Black Sea. He renamed it Constantinople and made the city the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 330 Diocletian’s successor, Constantine, rebuilt the old Greek port of Byzantium, at the entrance to the Black Sea. He renamed it Constantinople and made the city the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. Constantine Constantinople Constantine Constantinople

From World History: Connections to Today Prentice Hall, 2003

Constantinople

The Fall of the Western Roman Empire By 395 AD, the Roman Empire was formally divided into two empires: East and West. By 395 AD, the Roman Empire was formally divided into two empires: East and West. With the invasion of Germanic forces from the north, the Western Roman Empire was conquered and further divided. This left the eastern part of the Roman empire to carry on the Greco-Roman tradition.

The Fall of the Western Roman Empire From World History: Connections to Today Prentice Hall, 2003

Byzantine Empire At first, this Empire controlled only a small area around the eastern Mediterranean, but during the reign of Justinian ( ), it started to recover much of the territory of the old Roman empire. At first, this Empire controlled only a small area around the eastern Mediterranean, but during the reign of Justinian ( ), it started to recover much of the territory of the old Roman empire. Justinian

The New Rome The Byzantine Empire was wealthy and produced: gold, silk, grain, olives and wine. It traded these for spices, ivory and precious stones from countries as far away as China and India along the Silk Road trade routes. The Byzantine Empire was wealthy and produced: gold, silk, grain, olives and wine. It traded these for spices, ivory and precious stones from countries as far away as China and India along the Silk Road trade routes.Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire

The Silk Road

Justinian and Theodora  Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora. Created a huge Christian empire Theodora  Empire reached its greatest size Autocrat – ruler who has complete authority

Justinian and Theodora  Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora. Created a huge Christian empire  Empire reached its greatest size  Built Hagia Sophia Hagia SophiaHagia Sophia

What was happening then?

The Byzantine Empire Under Justinian This map depicts the Empire at the death of Justinian I, who had reigned from 527 to 565 as sole Emperor, sometimes in concert, and sometimes in conflict, with his powerful wife Theodora. This map depicts the Empire at the death of Justinian I, who had reigned from 527 to 565 as sole Emperor, sometimes in concert, and sometimes in conflict, with his powerful wife Theodora.

Justinian and Theodora  Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora. Created a huge Christian empire  Empire reached its greatest size  Built Hagia Sophia  Rebuilt the Hippodrome Hippodrome 

Same as the Roman???

Justinian and Theodora  Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora. Created a huge Christian empire  Empire reached its greatest size  Built Hagia Sophia  Built Hippodrome  Created Justinian’s Code – which organized all the laws of ancient Rome. Created Justinian’s Code Created Justinian’s Code

Justinian’s Code of Laws  Laws were fairer to women. They could own property and raise their own children after their husbands died.  Children allowed to choose their own marriage partners.  Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their masters.  Punishments were detailed and fit the crime  His work inspired the modern concept and, indeed, the very spelling of "justice".

The Nika Riots….Turning Point in Justinian’s rule These riots in 532 A.D. were called the Nika Riots ("Nika"= "Victory!"), and grew from political unrest over the government's new tax measures. Rival gangs of Blues and Greens (admirers of rival chariot-racing teams) fought in the streets. Justinian wanted to leave the city during the riots, but two of his generals and his wife Theodora, persuaded him to stay. Theodora took it upon herself to raise a personal army,

So who or what do you think inspired Justinian  Click below for Answer

The End of the Byzantine Empire  The Byzantine empire drew to a close in 1453 (but we are SOOOO not there yet) when forces from the Muslim Ottoman Empire surrounded and conquered Constantinople. Byzantine empire Muslim Ottoman EmpireByzantine empire Muslim Ottoman Empire  The ancient Christian city was renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

One more mention..  We will discuss the Great Schism in greater detail in the upcoming units but do know this… –It was the division of the Catholic Church into Roman Catholic and Eastern (or Greek) Orthodox –This happened in 1054 and then later it again split in 1378