ROMAN EMPIRE SPLIT

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ROMAN EMPIRE SPLIT
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CONSTANTINOPLE

• In A.D. 330 an emperor named Constantine moved
  the capital of the empire from Rome to a new city
  in the east. -The Greek city of Byzantium.
• He called the new capital Constantinople.

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Question 1

• Why would Constantine move the capital of the
  empire?
• Is this a good idea? Explain

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DIVISION OF THE EMPIRE

• The next emperor, Theodosius requested to divide
  the empire into eastern and western parts
• Western Capital-Rome
  
  
  Eastern Capital-Constantinople

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Question 2

• Why would Theodosius divide the empire?
• Is this a good idea? Explain

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FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE

• When the Romans divided the empire, they also
  divided the army. The western half of the empire
  became too weak to stop invaders
• Many Germanic tribes started taking over Roman
  land.
• In A.D. 476, a Germanic general named Odoacer
  overthrew the western Roman emperor Romulus
  Augustulus (who was only 14!)
• This is considered the end of the Western Roman
  Empire

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THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

• The Eastern Roman Empire became known as the
  Byzantine Empire
• It was its most powerful in the A.D. 500s.

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CONSTANTINOPLE THE NEW ROME

• Advantages of Constantinoples Location
• Peninsula between the Black Sea
  Aegean Sea
• Fishing boats, trading ships, and
  warships could use its harbors
• The seas around it made it easy to defend
• Two major trade routes crossed through it, so
  traders from Asia to Europe sold goods there

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Question 3

• Why was Constantinople important to the Byzantine
  Empire?

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BLENDING OF CULTURES

• Roman Influence
• Constantinople had many Roman-style buildings,
  including an outdoor
  arena for sporting events.
  
  It was called the Hippodrome.
• Officials gave free food and entertainment to the
  poor.
• People from many lands settled in the Byzantine
  Empire. Their different customs blended together
  to form a new culture.
• Over time, the empire became less Roman and more
  Greek. Most Byzantines spoke Greek, so officials
  and emperors learned to speak Greek too.

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Question 4

• Explain how cultural diffusion occurred in the
  Byzantine Empire

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JUSTINIANS RULE

• A.D. 527-A.D. 565

A forbidden love
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Justinian Bio Justinians uncle, Justin,
provided Justinian with an excellent education at
a school in Byzantium. When his uncle became
emperor, he adopted Justinian and made him his
chief advisor and later, co-ruler. In A.D. 527 he
died, and Justinian became emperor
Theodora Bio Theodora was a
member of a lower social class. Justinian could
not marry her it was illegal for people of lower
classes to marry nobles. Justinians uncle
Justin, who was the emperor, changed the law so
that the couple could marry. HOW ROMANTIC!
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE POWER COUPLE

• THEODORA
• Theodora helped Justinian rule the empire such
  as choosing government officials.
• Theodora also helped women gain more legal rights
  such as granting women the right to own land.
  Wahoo!
• When angry taxpayers rebelled in A.D. 532, her
  wisdom helped stop the crisis.

• JUSTINIAN
• Emperor Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire when
  it was at its most powerful.
• He was a skilled general and strong leader. He
  controlled the military and made the laws.
• Justinian ordered a group of scholars to organize
  the laws and make them simpler better.
• The new laws were easier for people to understand
  and follow.
• Became known as Justinian Code

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Primary Source
May I never be separated from this purple
(royal color), 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.
Empress Theodora From The Nika Riot, by
Procopius
What is Theodora saying here? What does this say
about her character?
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Question 1

• Why was Theodora an important part of Justinians
  rule?

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JUSTINIANS CODE
What similarities do you see between Justinians
Code and American Laws?
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BYZANTINE ART Justinian ordered the building
of the Hagia Sophia This church became the
religious center of the empire. It still stands
today The Hagia Sophia was decorated with
mosaics. Most mosaics showed figures of
saints-Christian holy people. Some honored
Byzantine emperors
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Question 2

• What elements of Roman architecture can be found
  in the Hagia Sophia?

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MILITARY CONQUESTS

• Justinian longed to restore the Roman Empire
• He began using a cavalry in the army (groups of
  soldiers on horses)
• Justinians army conquered the invaders who had
  taken lands from the Western Roman Empire. He
  gained back Italy, Spain, parts of Africa, and
  even conquered the Persians.

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Question 3

• In your opinion-Was it a wise choice for
  Justinian to reconquer parts of the Western Roman
  Empire?

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JUSTINIAN'S PLAGUE

• The conquests of Justinians army were short
  lived
• During the mid 500s, a deadly disease known as
  Justinians Plague swept through Asia and
  Europe. The plague killed millions of people,
  including Justinians army.
• In addition, the Byzantines did not have the
  money to support an army large enough to defend
  against the Persians in the east and protect the
  lands in west.
• Most of the western territories that Justinian
  conquered were lost after his death.

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Byzantine Empire Stations

• Over the next two days, you will be working in
  groups to dive deeper into the world of the
  Byzantine Empire.
• Your group will be analyzing visuals, articles,
  primary sources, and secondary sources