THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE:THE LEGACY OF THE PAX ROMANA

The Legacy of Rome

As western Europe descended into the anarchy of the Dark Ages…

Roman civilization continued under the Byzantine Empire at Constantinople

Justinian, 527-565

Attempted to reunify the whole Roman Empire…and almost succeeded in 550

Authored the Corpus Juris Civilis: a code of Roman Law that lasted until 1453 Corpus Juris Civilis is the

basis for medieval law in Europe

Justinian’s Empire

Theodora: Queen of Blades

She’s just a poor girl from a poor family

But Justinian fell in love…

…married her… …got rebelled

against… …and got saved by

Theodora!!!

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was the largest church in the world when it was built

Built by Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, every medieval church in the west was imitating it

It even had chandeliers hanging from the ceiling! Link to "Inside Hagia Sophia"

A Christian Empire

Constantine called Constantinople “Nova Roma” – New Rome

The Byzantine Empire spoke Greek, not Latin; was Christian, not Pagan; Eastern Orthodox not Roman Catholic

Summarize

In your interactive notebook, at the bottom of your notes page, write a short paragraph about today’s lesson. Write about: What the main idea of the lesson was AND what you learned today.

Your summary should be able to explain today’s lesson to someone who was not in class today.