1. The Byzantine Empire

2. The Byzantine Empire Rises
After the Western part of the Roman Empire fell, the Eastern part became known as the Byzantine Empire.

3. Justinian’s Achievements
Justinian Code – single, uniform code of law (came from Roman law).
Public building program
Baths
Aqueducts
Courts
Schools
Hospitals
Church building
Hagia Sophia

4. Preservation of Greco-Roman Culture!
Education was valued
Greek & Latin grammar & philosophy
Geometry (Euclid)
Poetry (Homer)
Medicine
Preserved many documents from ancient Greece & Rome.

5. Division of Christian Church
Christianity was developing differently in the East & West
Schism – Split in the Church
Disagreements over church hierarchy, how services are conducted, etc.

6. Comparing 2 Christian Churches
Eastern Orthodox
Services in Greek/local lang.
Bishops head Church as a group
Emperor has authority over bishops
Divorce allowed
Similarities
Faith based on gospel of Jesus & Bible
Sacraments such as baptism
Religious leaders are priests/bishops
Try to convert people
Roman Catholic
Services in Latin
Pope has authority over bishops, kings & emperors
Priests cannot marry
Divorce not allowed

7. Cultural Diffusion to Russia
The two Christian Churches tried to convert as many people as possible
Missionaries from the Orthodox Church took their religion to the Slavs
Two missionaries, Cyril & Methodius, invented an alphabet for the Slavic languages, so they could read the Bible in their own language.
Named after Cyril – Cyrillic alphabet
Slavic culture heavily influenced Russia

8. Fall of the Empire Plague spread & killed many Justinian died in 565
Attacks from East & West