Byzantine Empire

History of Constantinople

Byzantium Rome divided Founded by

Constantine, in 330 AD

Divine order or strategic location?

Western Rome declined, then collapsed

Constantinople took its place

Geography of Constantinople

“Golden Horn” Harbor Controlled

Bosporus Strait Surrounded by

water Access to Black &

Mediterranean Seas

Trade crossroad between Europe & Asia

Constantinople = “New Rome”

Rulers saw themselves as Roman

1000 years after Rome “fell” Constantinople flourished

Carried on “glory of Rome”

Center for: Law History Architecture Classical

scholarship

Constantinople compared w/ Rome

Byzantine culture influenced by Rome

City modeled on Rome

Built on seven hills Buildings/structures

reflected Roman influence

Stronger tradition of absolutism & monotheism

Arches & Columns

Constantinople vs. Rome

Retained but relaxed many of Roman rules & customs Bread & Circuses continued Army followed Roman traditions Class-based standards of punishment Different dress for rich & poor Some mobility in social hierarchy Emperors chose officials based on merit not

hereditary social class Byzantine Senate not as rigid & powerful as Rome

Constantinople: Heir to Rome

Bridge between ancient & modern Europe

Christianity, Roman customs, Greek classical culture all survived, blended, flourished

preserved Ancient Greek literature & philosophy

Greek was official language-required for citizenship

Preserved/codified Roman legal traditions

Who was Justinian?

527 -565 AD Classical education-law,

music, architecture, theology

Devout, stubborn Ambitious, military

leader Wanted to regain lost

Roman territory Taxed the people

heavily

Justinian = “New Caesar?

Regained Roman lands

Political & Religious Leader

Absolute Rule-brutal

Chose people based on ability not wealth

Appointed & dismissed bishops

Justinian

Throne was built large enough for two

Symbolized the Emperor’s partnership with Jesus

Leader of all military, made laws, headed the government & church, was supreme judge

Primary Source “For he was … villainous

and … a moron. He was never truthful … easily hoodwinked by any who wanted to deceive him. His nature was an unnatural mixture of folly and wickedness.”

Procopius [c.490/510-c.560s]

What were Justinian’s Contributions to Law and Public Works?

Many construction projects-churches, bridges, roads, monasteries, forums, forts

Most famous- Church of Holy Wisdom-Hagia Sophia

Life in “New Rome”

Christian Roman

tradition but unique

Spoke Greek not Latin

Wealthy Trade and

commerce flourished

Justinian’s Code Reformed old Roman Law Four Parts:

The Code- Roman Laws that were still useful

The Digest- quoted and summarized opinions of Rome’s greatest legal thinkers

The Institutes- textbook that instructed students on how to use the law

The Novellae- New laws after 534 AD

Justinian’s Code Combined Greek &

Roman legal traditions

Process took six years

Inspired the word “justice”

Justian’s Code Regulated

marriage, slavery, property, inheritance, women’s rights and criminal justice

Served the empire for 900 years

Influenced European and American law

Justinian’s Code American Laws

Women’s Rights

Robbery

Failure to Pay Debts

Murder

Inheritance

The Imperial Capital

Rebuilt fortifications

14-mile stone wall along the coastline

Many Churches Enlarged

palace Baths Aqueducts Law courts Schools Hospitals

Preservation of Greco-Roman Culture

Classical learning Greek Latin Philosophy Literature - Homer Euclid - geometry Herodotus –

history Galen - medicine

Hagia Sophia: Then

Hagia Sophia: Now

Hagia Sophia Over 12,000

workers to complete

Major feature was its huge dome set on top of a rectangular base

Very ornate, mosaics

Hippodrome

Theodora Advanced her friends,

destroyed her enemies Justinian changed

marriage laws to marry her

Social welfare programs for poor and homeless girls

Expanded women’s rights-convinced Justinian that women should own land

Helped save the empire during the Nika Revolt of AD 532

Theodora Justinian’s wife Intelligent,

adventurous, influential, wise & politically savvy

Born into lower classes

Father was the bear-keeper for the circus

Dancer/actress courtesan

What was the “Nika” Rebellion Horse racing

fans sparked citywide riots against government

Justinian’s troops slaughtered 30,000 rebels in Hippodrome

Justinian wanted to flee, Theodora said…

Theodora said… "My opinion then is that the present time, above all others,

is inopportune for flight, even though it bring safety. . . . For one who has been an emperor it is unendurable to be a fugitive. May I never be separated from this purple, and may I not live that day on which those who meet me shall not address me as mistress. If, now, it is your wish to save yourself, O Emperor, there is no difficulty. For we have much money, and there is the sea, here the boats. However consider whether it will not come about after you have been saved that you would gladly exchange that safety for death. For as for myself, I approve a certain ancient saying that royalty is a good burial-shroud." When the queen had spoken thus, all were filled with boldness, and, turning their thoughts towards resistance, they began to consider how they might be able to defend themselves if any hostile force should come against them. . .

Procopius [c.490/510-c.560s]

Problems in The Empire

Justinian died Street riots Religious quarrels Palace intrigues Foreign dangers

What was “Greek Fire”

Developed by Navy Chemical mix-ignited

when it came into contact with fire

Secret weapon-exact mixture still unknown

Similar to Napalm

The Plague

Probably came from India via ships Worst year was 542 10,000 people a day died Re-emerged periodically