1. The Byzantine Empire
“The New Rome”

2. The Roman Empire Divided in 294

3. Formation of the Empire
When Rome divided the eastern half of the empire became known as the Byzantine Empire.
Its varied peoples and cultures gave this civilization a vast international culture.

4. Variation of the Empire
The Byzantine Empire included a vast range of countries, including most of the Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt.
Cultures like the Greeks, Egyptians, Syrians, Arabs, Armenians, Jews, Persians, Slavs, and Turks took the majority the empire. But, the major population group was the Greeks.

5. Sunset on the “Golden Horn”

6. Constantinople: A Greek City (Istanbul Today)

7. Geography
Constantinople stood as the strong capital; its location between Asia and Europe kept it well protected and gave it control over most of the Mediterranean.
This convenient location overlooking many of the straits connecting the Mediterranean Sea gave the empire access to trade & other geographic advantages such as protection.
Because the central part of the Empire was populated with mostly Greeks, Greek culture and life became the the way of life for the majority of citizens.

8. Byzantine Church

10. St. John the Theologian

11. St. Gregory Palamas

12. St. Philip the Apostle

13. Church of Hagia Sophia [Holy Wisdom]

14. Interior of the Church of Hagia Sophia

15. The church had: nine gospel-books, two of which remained in the church for the use of the priests, while the other seven much adorned the representations of embossed gold, were kept in the Skeuophylakion.

16. On Tuesday, May 29, 1453, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror entered the vanquished city late in the afternoon and rode to Hagia Sophia. He was amazed at its beauty and decided to convert the Cathedral into his imperial mosque.

17. Religion & Culture
Religion played a major role in all peoples’ lives, despite different cultures
Christianity spread to all cultures by missionaries and monasteries
Native Greeks and other cultures stressed their heritage
a mix of Christian Eastern Orthodoxy and Persia’s Culture formed the blend that made the Empire

18. Religion, Cont’d.
Emperors were regarded as God’s representatives on earth
Church and state not separated; religion and government worked together and maintained strong ties

19. Emperor Justinian [r. 527-564]

20. Justinian Law Code

21. Empress Theodora

22. Theodora may well be considered a noble pioneer of the women's liberation movement. She passed on laws prohibiting forced prostitution and established homes for prostitutes, passed rights that granted women more rights in divorce cases, instituted the death penalty for rape and established laws allowing women to own and inherit property. She also provided safe shelter for Monophysite leaders who faced opposition from the majority orthodox Christians, even though her husband Justinian was an orthodox Christian.

23. Family Life Family was the center of social life
Marriage was considered sacred and divorce was rare
Despite Theodora’s efforts woman gained few rights in society and were secluded in the home.

24. Art & Architecture Mosaic and illuminated manuscripts &
Elaborately decorated books were also very big in the empire.
Beautiful icons, jewel- encrusted crosses, and carved ivory boxes are all examples of exotic Byzantine Art
Church architecture included gold and silver embellishment

25. Byzantine Jewelry

26. The Synagogue Mosaic

27. Bird Mosaic

28. Religious Scene

29. Circular, mandala like form