1. Byzantine Empire
Module 4, Lesson 1

2. Byzantine Empire Why it Matters Now:
Byzantine culture deeply influenced Orthodox Christianity, a major branch of modern Christianity.
Key Terms and People:
Justinian
Justininan Code
Hagia Sophia
Patriarch
Icon
Excommunication
Cyrillic alphabet
Byzantine Empire

3. Map of Byzantine Empire

4. A New Rome in a New Setting
Justinian becomes ruler in 527 AD
Quickly regained lands in North Africa
Attacked Rome and took control after years of invasions
Ruled with absolute power
This includes the church
A New Rome in a New Setting

5. Byzantines spoke Greek, rather than the Latin that most Romans did.
Life in New Rome
Byzantines spoke Greek, rather than the Latin that most Romans did.
Justinian creates legal system that updated and helped unify the two empires
Justinian Code
The Code: Used over 5000 useful Roman codes that already existed
The Digest: Quotes and opinion written about the laws
The Institute: Textbook that told law students how to use the laws.
The Novellae: New laws passed after 534
Code lasts for almost 900 years

6. Creating the Imperial Capital
Constantinople
Justinian creates massive public building program
Rebuilt capital
Constructed 14 mile stone wall
Church building
Hagia Sophia “Holy Wisdom”
Greatest example of Byzantine architecture
Most art inspired by Church
Other contributions:
Baths, aqueducts, law courts, schools, hospitals
Hagia Sophia Video

7. Greco-Roman culture is preserved
Classical learning
Constantinople’s Hectic Pace
Market stalls lined the main street
Free entertainment at Hippodrome
Nika Rebellion
Fans formed two groups
Rioted and demanded the overthrow of Justinian
Troops broke in slaughtered 30,000
Justinian’s wife, Theodora convinced Justinian to stay

8. Empire Falls Plague of Justinian Attacks
Approx. 10,000 people died per day!
Continues till about 700 AD
Attacks
Basically everyone in the area attacked: Slavs, Russians, Muslims, Persians, Avars, Bulgars.
Byzantines tried bribes, diplomacy, marriage, and military
Kingdom shrinks and ends when Ottoman Turks conquer it in 1453.

9. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdom
Invasions of Western Europe
Changes caused
Disruption of Trade
Downfall of Cities
Population shifts
Decline of Learning
Loss of Common Language

10. Germanic Kingdoms Emerge
Replaced Roman provinces
Idea of Government changed
Family ties and personal loyalty
Governed by unwritten rules, traditions
Loyal only to chief
Disgraceful to outlive chief
No obligation to obey king they didn’t know

11. Clovis Rules the Franks
Brings Christianity to Gaul
United Franks into one kingdom
Unites with Church

12. Germans Adopt Christianity
Missionaries, politics
Fear of Muslim attacks
Monasteries, Convents, Manuscripts
Charitable activities
Benedict
Developed strict rules for monasteries
Centers of education
Schools, libraries, copied books
Economic and political power
Military and political advisors
Life of a Monk

13. Papal Power Expands under Gregory I
Increased the power of the papacy
Secular
Pope’s palace becomes center of Roman government
All European churches his responsibility

14. An Empire Evolves Charles Martel “Charles the Hammer”
More powerful than king
Expanded Frank kingdom
Defeated Muslims at Battle of Tours in 732
Pepin the Short
Carolingian Dynasty

15. Charlemagne Becomes Emperor
Conquered land; spread Christianity
Saved Pope from attack
Crowned Emperor
Leads a revival
Limited power of nobles
Demanded fair governing
Encouraged learning; palace school
Heirs
Son crowned as emperor
Future sons would fight over empire
Kingdom division results into Feudalism