1. Aim: Describe Justinian’s Achievements in Constantinople

2. A New Rome in New Setting
Roman leaders had divided the empire in 395
Due to difficulties in communication East and West
527- Justinian succeeded uncle to throne
High-ranking Byzantine nobleman
Justinian ruled almost all territory that Rome had ruled
Like Caesars, Byzantine emperor ruled with absolute power 2

3. Justinian Achievements
Having unified the two empires, Justinian set up a panel of legal experts to regulate Byzantium’s society
Panel created Justinian’s Code
Single uniform code that consisted of 4 works
Code, Digest, Institutes, Novellae
Code decided legal questions that regulated life
Ex: Marriage, slavery, property, inheritance, women’s rights, and criminal justice
Justinian launched most ambitious public building program
Rebuilt fortification of Constantinople
Crowning glory was Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)
Church that turned into a mosque 3

4. Constantinople Education & Entertainment
Byzantine families valued education
Classical learning
Modern world owes Byzantine scholars a huge debt for preserving many of the great works for Greece and Rome
Main street running through Constantinople was the Mese (Middle Way)
Citizens enjoyed free entertainment at the Hipodrome
Offered wild chariot races and performance acts 4