The Byzantine Empire

1
The Byzantine Empire

• World History

2
Constantinople

• Empire was a blend of Christian, Roman, Greek
  (official language) culture
• Survived centuries of riots, religious
  discord,wars, 88 leaders
• Seized by Turks in 1453Renamed Istanbul

• Surrounded on 3 sides by water good for trade
  and defense
• a shipping and trading hub
• Capital of Eastern Roman Empire heavily
  influenced by Roman culture
• Christian city from the beginning

3
Emperor Justinian

• What Justinian Accomplished
• Came to throne at age 45. Considered the most
  ambitious ruler
• Acted as head of church and state
• Drove barbarians out of North Africa, Spain, and
  Italy
• Expanded Byzantine Empire but failed to recapture
  Rome
• Built bridges, churches, hospitals, libraries and
  parks

• How Justinian was Described
• While alive he was described as devout,
  determined, and energetic
• After death, Procopius referred to him as
  two-faced and cruel

• Legal Codes
• Scholars revised laws and created Corpus Juris
  Civilis
• This code of Justinian influenced many Western
  legal Codes

4
Empress Theodora

• She convinced her husband to expand womens
  rights in the empire

• She angered Justinian by giving orders that
  cancel his orders

• She was known to destroy her enemies.

• She started programs to help the poor and the
  homeless

• Convinced Justinian he should crush the Nika
  rebellion instead of fleeing

• Theodora
• Born into lower class as daughter of a
  bear-keeper
• Worked as an actress and dancer when she was
  young
• Married Justinian while in her 20s
• Equaled and sometimes surpassed Justinians in
  political skill and wisdom

5
The Hagia Sophia

• Key Points in the History of the Hagia Sophia
• Built during the reign of Justinian largest of
  Justinians 25 new cathedrals
• Built in 5 years 532-537 Known as Church of Holy
  Wisdom
• When Constantinople fell to the Turks, Hagia
  Sophia became a mosque
• Today it is a museum

• Size, pillars, and enclosed space show Roman
  influence
• Intricate and ornate design shows Eastern
  influence
• Cathedral shows blending of east and west in the
  Byzantine Empire
• Style spread to Russia S. Italy

• Important Concepts Found in Hagia Sophias
  Architecture
• Plain exterior symbolizes earthly life
• Ornate interior Spiritual universe

6
Icon of Mary and Jesus

• Icons
• Icons are pictures of important Christians or
  sacred events. They take the form of murals,
  mosaics, or wooden panels.
• In the West, Icons were to be respected.
• In the East, Icons were used, although many
  disapproved of them.

7
How the Great Schism Happened

• Btwn. 800 and 1000 eastern and western Christians
  fought over icons and spiritual power
• Christians in the Holy Roman Empire used icons
  because few people could read
• Some Christians in the Byzantine Empire
  disapproved of showing devotion to icons.
• Byzantines also struggle with Rome over power
• In 1054, the Christian church split into two
  churches forever.

• Orthodox Church
• Orthodox is Greek for correct belief
• Masses conducted in Greek Bible translated into
  various languages
• Patriarch appointed by Byzantine emperor
• Bishops celibate priests could marry

• Catholic Church
• Catholic is Latin for universal
• Masses conducted in Latin
• Pope thought to be supreme religious authority
• Clergy were celibate

8
Trade Routes in the Byzantine Empire

• A Hub of Trade and Culture
• Connected 3 continents with a vast trade network
  of caravans, rivers, seaways, and roads
• Constantinople became the center of religion and
  trade after the fall of the Roman Empire, until
  its own demise in 1453 at the hands of the
  Ottoman Turks