1. Byzantine Empire
Heir to Ancient Rome

2. System of land and sea walls
Constantinople
Center of the empire
Excellent Harbor
For Defense:
Guarded on 3 sides
System of land and sea walls

5. Wealth and Riches of Empire
Commanded key trade routes linking Europe and Asia
Europe's busiest marketplace
Hippodrome – arena for chariot races

6. Age of Justinian
Emperor Justinian

7. Wanted to revive glory of Ancient Rome
Re-conquered territories in North Africa, Southern Spain, and Italy
Built church of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)
Collected, revised, and organized all Ancient Rome's law into Justinian Code

10. Justinian Code Unified empire
Became basis of laws for Church and Medieval monarchs for centuries
Set out guidelines for international law today

11. Justinian's Absolute Power
Autocrat
Taxes ensured strong industry and military
Emperor is Christ's co-ruler on Earth
Controlled BOTH Church and Secular matters

12. Theodora Justinian's wife – was an actress
Stopped revolt & saved empire from falling
Negotiated peace treaty with Persians
Championed rights of women
Set up hospitals for the poor

14. Strengths of the Empire
Strong central government
Trade and industry flourished
Healthy money economy
Peasants formed backbone of empire for working land, taxes & military,

15. Byzantine emperor Constantine IV sent his fleet to meet the Arabs near Syllaeum, and the Arab fleet was destroyed by Greek fire, a new Byzantine weapon that had been used for the first time only a few years before. As the Arabs retreated they were caught in a storm that sank nearly all of their ships. It was capable of discharging a stream of burning fluid, and was very effective both on sea and land, but it was used primarily at sea. It is rumored that the key to Greek Fire's effectiveness was that it would continue burning under almost any conditions, even under water.

16. Byzantine Christianity

17. Differences between Eastern & Western Church
Emperor controlled Church
Appointed a “Patriarch” or highest church official
Rejected popes claim of authority over all Christians

18. Byzantine Clergy
Can Marry
Greek not Latin language of Church
Chief holy day is Easter, not Christmas

19. Split in Eastern & Western Church widens
Eastern Christians prayed to Icons (holy images) of Christ, Mary & Saints
700’s, Byzantine Emperor banned practice
Violent battles
Pope excommunicated emperor
Later pope and emperor excommunicated each other leading to a schism (permanent split)

21. The beginning of the End
Wars & problems with succession
Powerful local lords gained control of large areas
As the empire faltered, enemies advanced
Seljuk Turks began advancing across Asia minor

23. Crusades and Constantinople
1090’s, emperor called for western help to fight Seljuk Turks – first crusade
Fourth crusade: knights convinced by Venetian merchants to attack Constantinople – 1204
Looted & plundered

24. Empire never recovers
Byzantine emperor eventually recovered the throne but….
Venetian merchants gained control over Byzantine trade draining the wealth
Ottoman Turks over run Asia minor

25. End of an Empire
1453, Constantinople under siege for two months by Ottoman Turks
Last emperor died fighting
Ottoman ruler Muhammad II renamed the city Istanbul
Became the Great center of Muslim culture

26. Byzantine Legacy
Blended Christian beliefs with Greek science, philosophy, arts and literature
Extended roman achievements in engineering and law
Influence spread through Europe

27. Byzantine legacy
Ottoman conquerors adapted features of Byzantine Government, social life, and Architecture
Architecture = blended Greek, Roman, Persian and other styles

28. World of Learning
Byzantine scholars preserved classic works of ancient Greece
Produced own histories
When empire collapsed, Greek scholars left taking knowledge, culture, and scripts to the west contributing to the renaissance