1. Section 10-1

2. THE EARLY BYZANTINE EMPIRE

3. Byzantine Foundations Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium in 330 AD  renamed Constantinople. Located where Europe and Asia meet  important for defense and trade; water on three sides and all trade from China came through the city. The Byzantine Empire was a cultural blend between Rome and Greece  Greek became the language of scholars and Church instead of Latin; embraced Greek Christianity (Eastern Orthodox) instead of Latin Christianity (Roman Catholic).

4. Justinian and Theodora Justinian ruled the empire at it’s height, 527-565 AD; Theodora was his wife and empress. Theodora was considered a low class citizen when he married her; she was interested in raising the status of women. Theodora was important to Justinian’s keeping power; she persuaded him to stay in power when a rebellion threatened his power in 532; his armies crushed the rebellion and Justinian remained in power unchallenged until his death in 565 AD.

5. Military Campaigns Stopped a threat from the Persians; Justinian paid a tribute (fee) in return for peace on the eastern border. Tried to restore the full Roman Empire; conquered Italy, Northern Africa and Spain between 533 and 555 AD; success was short lived. Laws and Art Created a law code (Justinian’s Code) that preserved Roman law and became the basis for many western legal systems. Built the Haiga Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom) in Constantinople; built many buildings, roads, aqueducts.

6. Haiga Sophia Church

7. Interior of Haiga Sophia

8. Byzantine Religion The Eastern Orthodox Church grew a tradition very different from that of the Roman Catholic Church. The emperor was the head of the church, with the patriarch of Constantinople being 2 nd in command.

9. Controversies Iconoclasm  Dispute over the use of icons (religious images) in the 700’s  some argued that the Bible prohibited the use of images, others argued that icons were symbols of God’s presence in people’s lives.  In 726, emperor Leo III ordered all icons destroyed; many objected and were supported by the Pope  this strained relations between the RCC and EOC.  A church council was held in 787 that approved the use of icons; Empress Irene supported this.  In 843, the issue was settled further; pictures were allowed, statues were not.

10. Conflict with Rome The pope in Rome and the patriarch of Constantinople both asserted that he was the head of the church. In 800 AD, the pope crowned the Frankish leader Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”  this angered the Byzantine Emperor because he was the only one who supposedly had that power. Doctrinal, political and geographical differences led to a split between the two churches in 1054. The spilt weakened the empire, because of lack of support from the west.