1. THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
330 A.D A.D.

2. I. Constantinople A Rich and Powerful City
Emperor Constantine 330 A.D.
Trade – cross roads of land and sea routes
Secure - Construction of High Walls

3. Constantinople

5. High Walls

6. Byzantine Empire

7. Constantinople Rich and Powerful
Commanded key trade routes
For Centuries, the cities favorable location made it Europe’s busiest marketplace
China – silks
Egypt – wheat
India – gems
S.E. Asia – Spices
Viking Lands - Furs

8. II. Justinian’s Accomplishments 525-565

9. A. Military Expansion
Increased the holdings of the Byzantine Empire to include:
North Africa
Italy
Iberia (Spain)
Tried to rebuild the Roman Empire
Weakened his treasury – victory temporary

10. B. Rebuilds City Hagia Sophia – “Holy Wisdom”
“Oh glory to God who has judged me worthy of accomplishing such a work as this!”
“O Solomon, I have surpassed you.”

11. Hagia Sophia

12. Inside

13. C. The Effects of Justinian’s Code
Sets up commission to:
collect, revise, and organize all the laws of ancient Rome
Corpus Juris Civilis or “Body of Civil Law”
AKA – JUSTINIAN’S CODE:
Laws passed by Roman assemblies, decrees from emperors, legal writings from Roman judges, and a handbook for students
European Monarch centuries later model their laws on its principles

14. D. Autocracy Emperor and Christ’s co-ruler on Earth
Political power and spiritual authority

15. E. Powerful Military Strongest military force in the world
Soldiers, navy fortresses protected the city
“Greek Fire” – Napalm

16. F. Economic Power Strong central government
Peasants worked the land –paying taxes
And providing soldiers
Cities – trade flourished
Healthy money economy – bezant

17. III. Byzantine Christianity

18. A. Differences Between East and West
Claims of authority – Patriarch v. Pope
Use of Icons – the debate over graven images
Marriage
Greek v. Latin
1054 – Great Schism – both excommunicate each other

19. IV. Byzantine Empire Destroyed

20. A. Crisis and Collapse Struggles over power and succession
Norman Conquest of Southern Italy
1090s - Seljuk Turks advance across Asia Minor
(Leading to First Crusade)
Conflict with Venice over trade (4th Crusade )
Ottoman Turks under Mehmet II – 1453

22. V. IMPORTANT DATES
330 A.D. – Emperor Constantine move capital to Byzantium (Constantinople)
527 A.D. to 565 Reign of Justinian
532 – Riots and fire swept Constantinople – led to Hagia Sophia
s – Byzantine Empire attacked Persians, Slavs, Vikings, Huns, Turks, Arabs
1054 – Great Schism
1090s – Byzantium asks the West for help in defending Muslim Turks
1260s – Byzantine reclaim throne from Venetians
1453 – Ottoman Turks take over Constantinople rename it Istanbul