1. Chapter 12 Kingdoms and Christianity

2. Section 1: The Byzantine Empire
Main Idea
The Byzantine Empire, once the eastern half of the Roman Empire, was held together for centuries by strong leaders, profitable trade, and the influence of Christianity.
Objectives
How did Byzantine emperors rule their empire from Constantinople?
What were some important features of Byzantine culture?
What led to the decline of the Byzantine Empire?

3. The Story Continues
The “fall” of the Roman Empire was really only half a fall. Although Germanic tribes defeated the Western Roman Empire in the A.D. 400s, the Eastern Roman Empire successfully fought off the invaders. It came to be called the Byzantine Empire and included Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and other areas. Through the Byzantines the glory of the Roman Empire lived on.

4. The Byzantine Empire at its greatest extent

5. I. Emperors Rule in Constantinople
AD 527 to Justinian ruled the Byzantine
Empire; his wife Theodora was co-ruler
Mosaic of Justinian at San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy

6. Digital painting from mosaic of Justinian at San Vitale in Ravenna

7. I. Emperors Rule in Constantinople
Belisarius, commander of Justinian’s army,
expanded the empire to its greatest size

8. I. Emperors Rule in Constantinople
532 - opposition to Justinian’s rule caused the
Nika Revolt; led by two factions – the Greens
and Blues

9. I. Emperors Rule in Constantinople
Justinian ready to flee but Theodora convinced
him to stay and fight; rebellion was quashed
Empress Theodora
(d. 548)

10. I. Emperors Rule in Constantinople
One major contribution of Justinian was
collecting and preserving Roman law – the
Justinian Code

11. I. Emperors Rule in Constantinople
The Code was the basis of Byzantine law; also
provided framework for European legal systems
The Corpus Juris Civilis (Body of Civil Law)

12. I. Emperors Rule in Constantinople
Theodora urged Justinian to change Byzantine
law to improve the status of women
Emperor Justinian ( ) and Empress Theodora (d. 548)

13. II. Strengths of the Empire
Justinian ruled with a strong central
government; the military protected the borders

14. II. Strengths of the Empire
Constantinople controlled the Bosporus Strait
and grew wealthy from trade

15. II. Strengths of the Empire
Invented “Greek fire” – a chemical that burst
into flames when sprayed onto enemy ships

18. III. The Christian Church
Patriarch of Constantinople challenged the
pope’s authority
Pope Francis
Patriarchate of Constantinople Bartholomew I

19. III. The Christian Church
Iconoclastic Controversy resulted from a
major disagreement over the role of icons
Icon of Jesus and Mary

20. III. The Christian Church
Emperor ordered icons destroyed but the
Pope decreed abolishing icons was a heresy
Saint Peter

21. III. The Christian Church
The church split into Roman Catholic
(spoke Latin) and Eastern Orthodox (spoke
Greek)

22. IV. Byzantine Culture Byzantine civilization thrived while western
Europe entered the Dark Ages

23. IV. Byzantine Culture Art included murals, mosaics, & icons;
Architecture included the Hagia Sophia in
Constantinople

26. V. The Decline of the Empire
After Justinian, the Byzantines lost land to the
Persians, Lombards, Slavs, and Muslims
The yellow areas were lost in the 11th century, the green areas in the 12th and 13th centuries, and the purple areas in the 14th century. The remaining bits and pieces (black) were taken by the Ottoman Turks, culminating with the capture of Constantinople in 1453.

27. V. The Decline of the Empire
A.D. 1000s - Seljuq Turks captured Asia
Minor, a source of food and soldiers for the
empire

28. V. The Decline of the Empire
1204 –Emperor asked Rome for help, but the
Crusaders attacked and seized Constantinople
The capture of Constantinople in 1204 by the Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade was one of the darkest hours in history. Eventually, the Crusaders too, would suffer from this event.

29. V. The Decline of the Empire
Byzantines regained Constantinople, but
were conquered in 1453 by Ottoman Turks