1. Persia Chart (Independent)/Notes Byzantine Readings (Group Work)
Focus Question: What caused the rise of the Byzantine Empire?
Bell Work:
Take Out Hand outs!
Identify three reasons why the Roman Empire collapsed in 476 CE.
Homework: Church Documents. Middle Ages Test Friday. …
Agenda
Bell Work/Notes
Persia Chart (Independent)/Notes
Byzantine Readings (Group Work)
Begin Homework

2. FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
German invaders took over the Western Roman empire and the city of Rome by 476 CE.
In 330 CE Emperor Constantine rebuilt the Greek city of “New Rome,” renaming it Constantinople.
Constantinople had an excellent harbor, guarded by water on three sides.
Emperors built land and sea walls to add to its defense
Its location made it one of the most favorable cities for trade between Europe and Asia
When the Western Roman empire collapse, the eastern half continued. The term “Byzantine Empire” wasn’t coined to refer to the Eastern Empire until 1557, and wasn’t widely used until the 1800s.

3. THE AGE OF JUSTINIAN (527-565)

4. THE AGE OF JUSTINIAN (527-565)
Mosaics: Pictures or decorations made of small, usually colored pieces of stone or glass.

5. THE AGE OF JUSTINIAN
( )
Major theme of Justinian:
Continuing the legacy of Rome.

6. THE AGE OF JUSTINIAN (527-565)
Empire reached its greatest size under Emperor Justinian
He was an autocrat – single ruler with complete authority
Had a large bureaucracy to carry out orders

7. THE AGE OF JUSTINIAN CON’T…
Emperor Justinian launched a program to beautify Constantinople.
Hagia Sophia: A church, considered to be a great architectural accomplishment. Means “Holy Wisdom”

8. ABSOLUTE POWER
Taxes from trade and industry enabled him to maintain a strong military and keep power.
Achieved his goals with the help of his wife, Theodora.

9. JUSTINIAN’S CODE Code of laws that regulated Byzantine life
Collection included laws passed by Roman emperors, legal writings of Roman judges, and a handbook for students
Preserved and transmitted the heritage of Roman law & Greek ideas