1. The Byzantine Empire
Chapter 12
Section 1

2. Key Terms Byzantine Empire Justinian I Theodora Belisarius Mosaics
Icons
Clergy
Orthodox Church

3. Emperors Rule in Constantinople
Greek for city of Constantine
From 395 – 1453 seat of Eastern roman Empire
Also known as Byzantine Empire

4. A New Rome Constantinople was richer and larger than Rome
Located on the Bosporus helped to control trade and protect from attack
Two strong walls helped it to thrive

5. Reclaiming the Western Empire
Justinian I dreamed of restoring Rome
Reconquered Northern Africa from the Vandals
Used a fleet of ships
Belisarius- a top general also retook Italy

6. Rebellion at Home Theodora- wife of Justinian served as co-ruler
People did not like Justinian’s reforms
532 the Nike Revolt
Two factions in revolt
Green lower class, blue upper class, were chariot teams

7. Rebellion at Home Left Constantinople in flames
Justinian wanted to flee
Theodora refused to flee
Belisarius attacked rioters at the Hippodrome and slaughtered thousands

8. Achievements Rebellion gave a chance to rebuild the city
Hagia Sophia- Greek means holy wisdom
Most beautiful Christian Church
Reformed Roman Law
Emperors had not kept good records

9. Achievements
Arranged existing laws and legal opinions in a clear system
Corpus Juris-Civilis (body of civil law)
Had 4 parts
All existing constitutions
Include laws from Justinian
Called Justinian Code

10. Changes After Justinian
Died 565
Government was broke
Expanded beyond control
Western provinces fell to migrating tribes

11. Changes After Justinian
610 Heraclius defeated Persians (eastern border)
West he settled Croats and Serbs on Balkan frontier as a buffer
They converted to Christianity

12. The Role of the Emperor Was a priest king Deputy of Jesus
Responsible for civil and religious law
Although Romans very strong Greek influence
Heraclius made Greek official language, replaced Roman titles with Greek titles

13. Religion and the Arts
Most Art, architecture and literature based on religious themes
Human subject were saints of figures from the Bible
Most art was in mosaics
Created with tiny pieces of glass, stone and clay
Some tiles had gold

14. Religion and the Arts Mosaics decorated floors, walls and ceilings
Nature of mosaics changed over time
Common themes
Hand above cross symbolized God
12 lambs- Christian flock on earth

15. Religion and the Arts Force behind architecture
Churches had round domes over square foundations
Influenced building across Europe and Asia

16. Religious Conflicts 700’s use of art in churches causes controversy
Icons-paintings and sculptures of sacred figures
Some Christians objected to them
Thought it idol worship

17. Religious Conflicts
726 Emperor Leo III forbid use of images and ordered them destroyed
Ordered icons at entrance of the palace destroyed
Caused riots

18. Religious Conflicts Western church liked icons
Few people could read or write
Clergy used icons useful in teaching Christianity
843 icons accepted again
Growing divide between the Pope and Byzantine Empire

19. The Church Splits
Eastern church allowed clergy to marry, western did not
Ideas on governing the church
East- emperor oversaw the church but did not govern
Bishops- church leaders
Pope in Rome
Patriarchs in Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem

20. The Church Splits
Byzantines thought Pope was important but not their leader
Church councils- church officials met on major issues

21. The Church Splits 1054 a schism occurred East was the Orthodox
Means right opinion
Increased emperor’s power
Later would prove dangerous
West would not help against invaders
West Roman Catholic

22. Invaders in the Empire Slavs and Bulgars attack from the North
Egypt and Syria fell too the Muslims
Constantinople was weakened by religious conflict
Leo III stops Muslims in 718 and 740

23. A Period of Calm 800’s Empire improves 867 – 1056 Macedonians ruled
Called golden age
Improved peasant conditions
Established a law school
Train officials in government
Rule in the Balkans

24. Internal Weakness Incompetent Emperors
Constantinople had well trained and educated leaders
Restrained government and military
Used energy to make it a center of culture
Military saw encroaching danger

25. Final Decline Strife between military and government
Vulnerable to outside attacks
Seljuk Turks 1071 defeat Byzantines in Asia Minor
1453 Ottoman Turks attack and defeat Constantinople
Renamed city Istanbul