1. The Byzantine Empire
Chapter 12.3

2. Byzantine Empire – Roman empire outlasted the empire in the west
Reasons for the Byzantine Empire survival
Eastern Orthodox church united the people
Constantinople (capital city) was easy to defend
Great wealth

3. Constantinople Once known as Byzantium Center of trade Easy to defend
Built by Constantine and modeled after Rome
Population of around 600,000 people from all over the world – All of them considered themselves Romans
Churches- helped the poor
Relics – valued holy objects from the past

4. Justinian I Theodora Justinian’s Code
Greatest emperor of the Byzantine Empire
Macedonian – well educated – military leader
Theodora
Wife of Justinian – an actress from a poor family
Helped him rule – more rights for women
Helped him put down a revolt
Justinian’s Code
New law code that influenced many modern legal systems
3 parts
Digest – decisions of the great roman judges
Institutes – textbook for law students
Novels – new laws made by Justinian

5. Public Works Hagia Sophia Belisarius
Justinian built churches, bridges, monasteries, roads, and forts
Hagia Sophia
Church of “Holy Wisdom” P. 363
Religious center for the Byzantine empire
It is a Mosque today
Belisarius
Justinian General that helped him conquer Italy, North Africa, and Spain
Greek Fire – secret weapon – chemical mixture that burned when mixed with water

6. Eastern Orthodox Church
Official religion of the Byzantine Empire
Emperor was head of the church
Patriarch of Constantinople – picked by the emperor to run the church
Metropolitans – bishops
Icons – religious images used in worship services
Decline of the Empire
Small farmers lost their land to rich landowners and didn't stay loyal to the emperor
Venice began to control the trade – cut into the empire’s wealth
Attacks from Christians in the west and Turkish Muslims in the east