Ch. 6: The Byzantine Empire

CHAPTER 6 The Byzantine Empire

I. Capital City of ConstantinopleA. Site was chosen for its location

1. Surrounded by water on 3 sides, itwas easy to defend

B. Became a trading center for Europe and Asia1. Became the richest city in the region

C.Technological advances made it an attractive place to live1. Sewer system kept water clean 2. Hospitals, orphanages, & homes for

the elderly improved peoples’ lives3. Unemployed people performed

public services for food rations

Home of AnthemiusHis mansions were turned into a home for the elderly.

D. Chariot races entertained everyone1. Team rivalries sometimes erupted into

street violence

II.The Reign of Emperor Justinian IA. He ruled from 527 to 565 C.E.B. Chariot race violence brought about a rebellion that destroyed Constantinople

C. He rebuilt the city with huge works projects1. New bridges, public baths, parks,

roads, & hospitals2. New churches, like Hagia Sophia

D. Created systematic body of laws, known as Justinian’s Code1. Revised ancient Roman laws2. Gave women right to own property

Justinian expanded borders and re-conquered much of old Empire:

III. The Eastern Orthodox Church

A. Based on beliefs dating back to ChristB. Byzantines saw the emperor as both a

religious leader and a head of stateC. Church played critical role in peoples’ daily

lives

D. Orthodox clergy had ranks, like Catholics1. Emperor had all religious authority2. Patriarch of Constantinople was next3. Other patriarchs were equal to him4. Bishops served under the patriarchs5. Priests served under patriarchs and

bishopsa. Priests could marry, but bishops

could not

E.Liturgy, or mass, was recited by both priests and worshippers1. Worshippers prayed to many saints

a. Saint Basil promoted charity work b. Saint Cyril created the Cyrillic alphabet

Cyrillic Alphabet:

2.Icons were a common feature of theOrthodox churchesa. Christ the Pantocrator (ruler of all)b. Mary, the mother of Jesusc. Icons helped bring Orthodox Christians

closer to God

IV. Conflict between Eastern and Western ChurchesA. Eastern (Orthodox) Christianity was influenced by Greek heritage & customs

1. Language of Constantinople was Greek

B. Western (Roman Catholic) Christianity was influenced by Frankish & Germanic cultures1. Latin was the common language

C. Popes emerged as powerful figures in the west

D. The Orthodox Church resisted the popes’ claims of religious authority

E. Three disagreements led to final split

1. Emperor Leo III banned icons fromByzantine churches, angering pope

2. Pope Leo III named Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, angering the Byzantines, who already had named Empress Irene

3. In 1054 C.E., Patriarch Cerularius ordered the closing of all Byzantine Churches still using western rites

a. Pope Leo IX issued a papal bull, ordering Cerularius to be excommunicated

b. Schism (split) became permanent