The Eastern Remains of the Roman Empire

As the Roman Empire began to weaken, the Emperor Constantine moved the capital city from Rome to the city of Byzantium in 330 A.D. It was known as the “New Rome,” but was later named Constantinople. This city grew and prospered at the crossroads to the East, but the Western Roman Empire was not as lucky. As Germanic tribes attacked the city of Rome, it fell, leaving the Eastern city as the legacy of the Romans. This city became the center of the Byzantine Empire.

 Located on a peninsula jutting into the Black Sea toward Asia  Surrounded by water on 3 sides and fortified by walls and watchtowers across the land  Linked East and West as central point of land and sea trade routes

 City’s location made it richest in the Mediterranean for over 700 years  Ivory, silks, furs, perfume luxuries traded  Population over a million people  Culture a mix of Greek, Roman, and that of the many travelers from three continents  Wealthy enjoyed their luxuries  Poor swept the cities streets to receive bread handouts from the emperor  Technologically and culturally advanced with sewer systems, hospitals, entertainment, and church

527 to 565 A.D. Married to Theodora, a leader for her city

 Determined to rebuild the city after a revolt by the people  Established public works programs  Built bridges, public baths, parks, roads, and hospitals  Built grand churches  Hagia Sophia  Launched military campaigns to reclaim territory

 Systematic body of law created by Justinian  Encouraged by Theodora  Revised and updated Roman codes  Extended women’s rights (property)  Became basis for western legal codes

Byzantine Empire under Justinian

The Foundation of an Empire

Hagia Sophia

 Imagined his “New Rome” as religious center of the Roman Empire  Church used idea of councils to address disputes and answer questions of faith  Orthodox faith of Christianity based on set of beliefs traced to Jesus and the work of early bishops in the Christian councils  Linked closely with government as one all- powerful body

DAILY LIFEPRACTICES  People attended church regularly  Religious sacraments for all stages of life  Monasteries and Convents cared for sick and poor  Wealthy supported work of the church  Church Hierarchy from Emperor to Patriarch to Bishops to Priests  Liturgy conducted in Greek was sacred rite of worship  Architecture and art represented religious symbols  High dome with square base  Rich decorations like entering God’s kingdom  Icons represented on walls, in windows, and as mosaics

 Eastern Orthodox Church came into conflict with Christian churches of West  Iconoclasm – orders by Byzantine emperor to destroy icons after seeing people were worshipping symbols and images instead of God  Crowning of Empress Irene in 800 led the Pope of the West to “defend” the church against the rule of a woman by crowning Frank King Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor  Great Schism – split of the East from West in symbolic ceremony between Cardinal representing West and Patriarch defending Eastern traditions

The Byzantine Empire saw great development in the rule of the people and the role of the church. With the new codes of law and the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the division of the East and West was more clear. This prosperous Empire was successful for 1000 years, but the entrance of the Turks from the East ended their mighty reign.

Write a thesis that taps for the prompt to the right. Fill out the outline included at the end of your notes.  Analyze the similarities and differences in the codes of Justinian and Quranic law while discussing the long term impacts of each code on contemporary society.