The Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine Empire
Capital: Greek city of ByzantiumRebuilt by Emperor ConstantineRenamed Constantinople
CONSTANTINOPLECONSTANTINOPLECenter of Byzantine EmpireTrade center strategically located
Roman Heritage: Public entertainment Chariot races: The Hippodrome
The Age of JustinianThe Age of Justinian
527 – 565 – reign of Justinian
Autocracy – total rule by one leader (autocrat) Golden Age of the Byzantine Empire Justinian determined to revive grandeur of ancient
Rome – set out to conquer lost territories
The Age of JustinianThe Age of Justinian
Beautified Constantinople
Built Hagia Sophia (“ Holy Wisdom”)
HAGIA SOPHIA (“holy wisdom”)
HAGIA SOPHIA (“holy wisdom”)
HAGIA SOPHIA (“holy wisdom”)
The Justinian CodeThe Justinian Code•Corpus Juris Civilis = civil law•Collection of Roman laws•Preserved and transmitted heritage of Roman law
THEODORATHEODORA
Strong wife of JustinianSaved the empire during Nika revolt: Justinian was going to
flee, but Theodora refused Justinian stayed and
crushed rioters 30,000 dead in
Hippodrome
After Justinian: empire declinedAfter Justinian: empire declined
Foreign attacks by Arabs, Slavs, Vikings, Mongols, Turks
•Most territories lost, except for Asia Minor (Greece and Turkey)
•Byzantine Empire held on to trade money economy flourished
Byzantine ChristianityByzantine Christianity
Religion is very important. Byzantine Christianity (Eastern Orthodox) is different from Roman Catholic Christianity (Western Europe)
Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox
Where?
Leader
Clergy members
Language
Most important day
Position on icons (*holy images*)
Western Europe Byzantine Empire
Pope Emperor
Vow of chastity Allowed to marry
Latin Greek
Christmas Easter
Allowed Not allowed (iconoclasts)
SCHISMSCHISM
1054
Schism took place:
permanent split between Eastern Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church
DECLINE OF THE BYZANTINE DECLINE OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE:EMPIRE:
Result of struggles over succession and constant warfare1453 – Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks; renamed Istanbul
Hagia Sophia –
turned into Muslim Mosque
BYZANTINE BYZANTINE HERITAGE & LEGACY: HERITAGE & LEGACY:
Byzantine culture – blend of:
Hellenistic culture (Greek science, philosophy, arts, literature), Roman law and engineering
Christian beliefs & traditions
Influenced Western Europe and the Middle East
BYZANTINE ART:BYZANTINE ART:
Religious Mosaics
KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING:KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING:
Byzantines preserved classic works of ancient Greece and Rome
Byzantine historians First female historian Anna Comnena Procopius
CYRILLIC ALPHABETCYRILLIC ALPHABET
Created by monks of the Byzantine Empire
Spread with Eastern Orthodox religion throughout Greece, Russia, Eastern Europe
Top Related