1. Byzantine Empire & Orthodox Influence on Russia
Outcome: Byzantium: The New Rome

2. Byzantium: The New Rome
Setting the Stage
Due to Germanic Invasions, the Western Roman Empire had collapsed
For nearly 1,000 years after the collapse of the Western Empire, Byzantium in the east would continue to thrive and build upon its Roman foundations

3. Byzantium

4. Byzantium: The New Rome
Why was Byzantium called The New Rome?
Simple: it was Roman
Byzantium had Roman emperors, architecture, culture, and Christianity
Byzantine emperors ruled with absolute power- head of church as well as head of state.
There were differences such as they spoke Greek instead of Latin

5. Byzantine Architecture
St. Basil’s Basilica in Moscow Russia
I.e. the tetris church

6. Byzantium: The New Rome
Why was Byzantium wealthier?
Byzantium was located in the middle of several trade routes that allowed it to prosper
Weren’t prone to the Germanic attacks like the Western Empire

7. Byzantium: The New Rome
Emperor Justinian
Takes control of the Byzantium in 527 AD
Set up the Justinian Code: uniform set of laws created from outdated Roman laws
Contained 5,000 Roman laws still considered useful
Broken up into 4 works (The Code, The Digest, The institutes, the Novellae)
Built many churches including the Hagia Sophia, hailed as the most splendid church in Christian world
Plagues and attacks cause the Byzantine Empire to fall after death of Justinian
Had ABSOLUTE POWER = controlled both government and church
He wanted a re-conquest of the Roman territories that were lost through Germanic invasions

8. Justinian Expands Trade
There was a giant open-air market often called a bazaar, where shoppers could buy
Tin from England
Wine from France
Cork from Spain
Ivory and gold from Africa
Trade routes via Black Sea and Baltic Sea

9. The Hagia Sophia

11. Byzantium: The New Rome
A Christian Empire
Christianity had spread since the height of the Roman Empire
Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan that made Christianity legal
The Church Divides in 1054-The Great Schism- great divide of the christian church
Roman Catholicism in the West
Services conducted in Latin
Centered in Rome
The Pope has authority of all other bishops
Priests cannot marry

12. Byzantium: The New Rome
Eastern Orthodox Church in the East
Services conducted in Greek or local languages
The Patriarch and other bishop head the Church as a group
Priests may be married
Centered in Constantinople

13. Influence of Byzantium on Russia
Adoption of Orthodox Christianity by Russia and much of Eastern Europe
Use of Icons and Mosaics (pictures made of small tiles) in public and religious structures
Adoption of Greek Alphabet for the Slavic Languages by St. Cyril (Cyrillic Alphabet)

14. Byzantium: The New Rome
Result: The Roman Empire dwindled into oblivion allowing the Middle Ages to begin. However, in the east Byzantium held on for a few more centuries, which resulted in a split in Christianity and eventually would set up a bigger conflict: Christianity vs. Islam.