1. The Byzantine Empire
Unit 4, October 24th and 25th

2. The Byzantine Empire
After 476 A.D. Rome was under the control of foreigners who themselves claimed to be continuing the empire
The Byzantine empire continued as before, believing themselves to be the Roman Empire.
The official language switched from Latin to Greek and the empire was very rich and wealthy
Their empire was centered in Constantinople
In the 4th century, Emperor Constantine established the capital here.
It was able to hold off barbarian invaders

3. The Byzantine Empire had a predominately Greek character
Byzantines through the course of the first millennium AD had to deal with cultural influences and political threats from European cultures, Asian cultures and, primarily, Islam after the seventh century.
The Byzantine Empire, with territory in the Balkans, the Middle East, and the eastern Mediterranean, maintained very high levels of political, economic, and cultural life between A.D.
The empire continued many of the traditions of the western empire and spread its Orthodox Christianity to most of Eastern Europe, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.

4. Geography of Constantinople
Water on three sides
Located on a strait connecting Black Sea and Mediterranean
Key trading location between Europe, Africa, and Asia

6. Justinian (527 – 565 A.D.)
Attempted to reconquer Western territory but without lasting success
He ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora
Attacks from Slavs and Persian weakened frontiers
Serious financial pressures
Rebuilt Constantinople
Hagia Sophia
Justinian created the codification of Roman Law
(Corpus Iuris Civilis)
- it was also the first systematic attempt to
synthesize Roman law and jurisprudence with Christianity
- became the foundation of all European
law and legal practice (except for England)
He was not liked b/c he had high taxes and was a cold ruler

7. 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."

8. Empress Theodora Byzantine empress and consort of Justinian I
She was a former actress and prostitute when she won the heart of the ambitious Justinian
She eventually became his mistress, wife and the sharer of his throne in 527 A.D.
During the Nika Riots of 532, Theodora saved the throne for herself and her husband by her courage. She lavished goods upon the poor, especially the unfortunate of her own sex.

9. Nika Riots of 532
Rioters begin attacking Justinian’s palace for 5 days and Senators whom had opposed Justinian began plotting with groups to unite and overthrow him
Riots lead to arrests
Justinian orders 1 green and 1 blue to death escape and protest begin
Hippodrome was used as the meeting place of both factions
Pay off blues
Kill greens

10. Justinian’s legacy
Hagia Sophia remained the seat of Eastern Christianity until the Fall of Constantinople.
552: Byzantine monks sneak silkworms and mulberry out of China.
He was heavy-handed towards heresies
In 529 he closed the philosophical school of Athens, thus destroying the last stronghold of paganism.
He started expansive military campaigns and temporarily gained control over much of the old Roman Empire
Art and architecture was elaborate- domed buildings, colored mosaics, and painted icons expressed an art linked to religion.

11. Hagia Sophia

12. Byzantine Empire under Justinian

13. Byzantine religion
Byzantine Empire brings drastic changes for Christianity
Rome no longer important city to the Byzantine people and rulers
Lack of Contact between Pope in Rome, and the papacy in the East
Breakdown in authority over the church
Religion in East controlled by ruling emperor and patriarch
Patriarch = lead Bishop in the East
Byzantine Emperors and Patriarchs were often in conflict with the Pope

14. icons Icons were used by Christians in the East to aid in worship
Controversy over use
Some saw it as idle worship
Leo III banned Icon used in 730 AD  this led to Iconoclasm (smashing icons to end improper worship)
The Pope claimed an Emperor had no authority to deal in issues of the Christian Church, but Byzantines viewed the Emperor as the decisive voice in Christian governance and practice

15. Great Schism
Throughout the middle ages various differences in political organization, culture and economic organization and the various versions of Christianity help illustrate the rift between east and west.
Issues continue between papacy in east and west over issues such as:
Pope’s authority over all matters of Christianity
Church’s right to tax the citizens of the Byzantine empire
Priest’s right to get married
Languages used in church services
In 1054 AD the Christian Church splits
The patriarch and Pope excommunicate each other

16. The two Churches Services Conducted in Latin
Roman Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Services Conducted in Latin
Pope has authority over all bishops
Pope has authority over all kings and emperors
Priests cannot marry
Services Conducted in Greek
Patriarch and other bishops head the church
Emperor has authority over Patriarch
Priests can marry

17. Spread of EOC Opening trade with Russia
Eastern Orthodox missionaries spread EOC to Slavs (Russians)
St. Cyril and St. Methodius most successful missionaries
They designed the Cyrillic Alphabet and allowed Slavs to read the bible in their native tongue

18. Byzantine Politics Resembled earlier Chinese system
(emperor (patriarch) ordained by God and surrounded by an elaborate court ritual
The “patriarch” ruled both church and state
Women occasionally held the throne
Elaborate bureaucracy
Careful military organization
Troops recruited locally and given land in return for service
Empire socially and economically relied on Constantinople's control of the countryside

19. Decline of Byzantine Empire
The plague hit the Empire during Emperor Justinian’s rein around 540 AD
Killed large percentage of population
From the Start of the Empire it was under constant attack
Over time Empire lost more and more territory
During the 11th century, a long period of decline began
Muslim Turkish invaders and Russian armies shrink empire
Independent Slavic states in Balkans formed
1204 – the 4th Crusade ends with Christians sacking the city of Constantinople
1453 – Empire officially dies with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

21. Legacy of Byzantine Empire
Preserved Culture of the Greeks and Romans
Great Schism split Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox
Justinian’s Code preserved Roman laws
Be basis for creation of laws in future European countries
Cyrillic Alphabet allowed for spread of Eastern Orthodox Christianity into Russia

22. Global Connections Byzantines were active in interregional trade
Constantinople was one of the worlds greatest trading centers (geographical location)
When Byzantium declined and the Mongols conquered Russia a period of isolation began
By the 15th century, Russia began to regain independence and faced decisions about how to re- engage with the West