1. Byzantine Empire
McFarland

2. Europe During Post-Classical Period
Following fall of Roman Empire, 2 Christian societies emerged in Europe
Western Europe: Roman Catholicism
Eastern Europe: Orthodox Christianity
The religion and culture of Eastern Europe was largely shaped by the Byzantine Empire.

3. Map of Byzantine Empire http://guide-martine

4. Origins of the Byzantine Empire
Late in the Classical Period, Rome established an eastern capital at Constantinople (formerly Byzantium)
Attempt to keep empire from collapsing
Roman Empire eventually split into eastern and western halves
East began to thrive, west experienced decline

5. Byzantine Empire
Both empires were hit hard by foreign invasion and disease in the late-classical period.
BUT, Byzantine Empire survived, the Roman Empire did not
Why was the Byzantine Empire stronger than that of Rome????
Thrived on trade
Trade with Rome in decline
Military derived from Middle Eastern provinces
Rome hired foreign mercenaries
Strong political and religious leadership in form of the Byzantine Emperor
Roman Emperor and Pope competed for power

6. Emperor Justinian Byzantine Empire flourished under Justinian’s rule
Art, architecture, construction projects
Hagia Sophia- church with world’s largest dome (at the time)
Engineering marvel
Created standardized system of law codes (Justinian Law Code)
Maintain stability, unity, consistency
Under Justinian, the Byzantine Empire extended its influence
533: Emperor Justinian attempted to reunite eastern and western halves of the old Roman Empire
Failed
Gained territory in N. Africa and Italy
However, the Muslim empires will later conquer about half of the territory once controlled by the Byzantine Empire

7. Mosaic of Emperor Justinian

8. Byzantine Society
Emperor was ordained by God to be head of Church and state
Patriarchal rule, but some women were able to hold throne temporarily
In early days, women enjoyed some freedom, but became more restricted as time passed
Practiced veiling and confinement of women
Muslims later adopt these practices

9. Religion in Byzantine Empire
Initially, the Byzantines were under the authority of the Pope
Over time, conflict arose between the Pope in Rome and the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople
Began to develop differences in religious practices
1054: Great Schism
Official split in Church
Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox

10. Government Under Byzantine Empire
Complex centralized bureaucracy
Mostly aristocrats in power positions
Possible for other social classes to hold office
Bureaucrats had to be well educated
Most positions that were closest to the Emperor were held by eunuchs
Provincial governors and spy network to maintain order
Close tie between church and state

11. Government Under the Byzantine Empire
Focus on military
Recruited local troops
Exchanged military service for land that could by passed on to children
Military helped fend off foreign invasions
Regulation of the economy
Controlled food prices
Adopted silk making from China, allowing them to compete in luxury markets
Government Sponsored trade with Europe, Asia, Arab Muslims, India
Role of merchant class was diminished due to govt. involvement in trade

12. Art and Architecture Strong Hellenistic Influence
Domed buildings (adopted from Rome)
Mosaics: use of small, colored pieces of glass, tile, stone to create an image
Icon Painting: paintings of religious figures
Often used rich colors such as blue and gold to signify the purity and brilliance of heaven

13. Hagia Sophia

16. Mosaic of Christ from Hagia Sophia

17. Decline of Byzantine Empire
Long decline
Muslim Invasions
Turkish Troops seized territory in Asia
Slavic peoples rebelled and created independent kingdoms in Balkan Peninsula
Crusaders
1453: Turkish Sultan and his army attacked Constantinople and seized the city
Established the Ottoman Empire under Muslim control