Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire

Heir to Ancient RomeHeir to Ancient Rome

Constantinople

Center of the empireCenter of the empireExcellent HarborExcellent HarborFor Defense:For Defense:Guarded on 3 sidesGuarded on 3 sidesSystem of land and sea walls System of land and sea walls

Wealth and Riches of EmpireWealth and Riches of Empire

Commanded key trade routes Commanded key trade routes linking Europe and Asialinking Europe and Asia

Europe's busiest marketplaceEurope's busiest marketplaceHippodrome – arena for Hippodrome – arena for

chariot raceschariot races

Age of JustinianAge of Justinian

Emperor Justinian 527-565Emperor Justinian 527-565

Wanted to revive glory of Ancient Wanted to revive glory of Ancient RomeRome

Re-conquered territories in North Re-conquered territories in North Africa, Southern Spain, and ItalyAfrica, Southern Spain, and Italy

Built church of Hagia Sophia Built church of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)(Holy Wisdom)

Collected, revised, and organized Collected, revised, and organized all Ancient Rome's law into all Ancient Rome's law into Justinian Code

Justinian CodeJustinian Code

Unified empireUnified empireBecame basis of laws for Became basis of laws for

Church and Medieval monarchs Church and Medieval monarchs for centuriesfor centuries

Set out guidelines for Set out guidelines for international law todayinternational law today

Justinian's Absolute PowerJustinian's Absolute Power

AutocratAutocratTaxes ensured strong industry Taxes ensured strong industry

and militaryand militaryEmperor is Christ's co-ruler on Emperor is Christ's co-ruler on

EarthEarthControlled BOTH Church and Controlled BOTH Church and

Secular mattersSecular matters

TheodoraTheodora

Justinian's wife – was an actressJustinian's wife – was an actressStopped revolt & saved empire Stopped revolt & saved empire

from fallingfrom fallingNegotiated peace treaty with Negotiated peace treaty with

PersiansPersiansChampioned rights of womenChampioned rights of womenSet up hospitals for the poorSet up hospitals for the poor

Strengths of the EmpireStrengths of the Empire

Strong central governmentStrong central governmentTrade and industry flourishedTrade and industry flourishedHealthy money economyHealthy money economyPeasants formed backbone of Peasants formed backbone of

empire for working land, taxes empire for working land, taxes & military,& military,

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.

Byzantine ChristianityByzantine Christianity

Emperor controlled ChurchEmperor controlled ChurchAppointed a “Patriarch” or Appointed a “Patriarch” or

highest church officialhighest church officialRejected popes claim of Rejected popes claim of

authority over all Christiansauthority over all Christians

Differences between Differences between Eastern & Western Eastern & Western

Church

Byzantine ClergyByzantine Clergy

Can MarryCan MarryGreek not Latin language of Greek not Latin language of

ChurchChurchChief holy day is Easter, not Chief holy day is Easter, not

ChristmasChristmas

Split in Eastern & Western Church Split in Eastern & Western Church widenswidens

Eastern Christians prayed to Icons (holy Eastern Christians prayed to Icons (holy images) of Christ, Mary & Saintsimages) of Christ, Mary & Saints

700’s, Byzantine Emperor banned practice700’s, Byzantine Emperor banned practiceViolent battlesViolent battlesPope excommunicated emperorPope excommunicated emperorLater pope and emperor excommunicated Later pope and emperor excommunicated

each other leading to a schism (permanent each other leading to a schism (permanent split)split)

The beginning of the EndThe beginning of the End

Wars & problems with succession Wars & problems with succession Powerful local lords gained control Powerful local lords gained control

of large areasof large areasAs the empire faltered, enemies As the empire faltered, enemies

advancedadvancedSeljuk Turks began advancing Seljuk Turks began advancing

across Asia minoracross Asia minor

Crusades and ConstantinopleCrusades and Constantinople

1090’s, emperor called for 1090’s, emperor called for western help to fight Seljuk Turks western help to fight Seljuk Turks – first crusade– first crusade

Fourth crusade: knights Fourth crusade: knights convinced by Venetian merchants convinced by Venetian merchants to attack Constantinople – 1204to attack Constantinople – 1204

Looted & plunderedLooted & plundered

Empire never recoversEmpire never recovers

Byzantine emperor eventually Byzantine emperor eventually recovered the throne but….recovered the throne but….

Venetian merchants gained Venetian merchants gained control over Byzantine trade control over Byzantine trade draining the wealthdraining the wealth

Ottoman Turks over run Asia Ottoman Turks over run Asia minorminor

End of an EmpireEnd of an Empire

1453, Constantinople under siege 1453, Constantinople under siege for two months by Ottoman Turksfor two months by Ottoman Turks

Last emperor died fightingLast emperor died fightingOttoman ruler Muhammad II Ottoman ruler Muhammad II

renamed the city Istanbulrenamed the city IstanbulBecame the Great center of Became the Great center of

Muslim cultureMuslim culture

Byzantine LegacyByzantine Legacy

Blended Christian beliefs with Blended Christian beliefs with Greek science, philosophy, arts Greek science, philosophy, arts and literatureand literature

Extended roman achievements in Extended roman achievements in engineering and lawengineering and law

Influence spread through EuropeInfluence spread through Europe

Byzantine legacyByzantine legacy

Ottoman conquerors adapted Ottoman conquerors adapted features of Byzantine features of Byzantine Government, social life, and Government, social life, and ArchitectureArchitecture

Architecture = blended Greek, Architecture = blended Greek, Roman, Persian and other stylesRoman, Persian and other styles

World of LearningWorld of Learning

Byzantine scholars preserved Byzantine scholars preserved classic works of ancient Greece classic works of ancient Greece

Produced own historiesProduced own historiesWhen empire collapsed, Greek When empire collapsed, Greek

scholars left taking knowledge, scholars left taking knowledge, culture, and scripts to the west culture, and scripts to the west contributing to the renaissancecontributing to the renaissance