The Byzantine Empire 330-1360

The Byzantine Empire 330-1360

Called the “New Rome” and located in what is now modern day Turkey.

Constantinople = Istanbul

Once called Eastern Roman Empire was renamed The Byzantine Empire during the

reign of Constantine.

Geography:

• Much of the success of the Byzantine Empire was based on its selected location for its capital city of Constantinople.

• Location:• Located on the shores of the Bosporus strait which

linked the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Constantinople

Merchants from:

• China – sold silk• Egyptians - sold wheat• Scandinavians – sold furs• India – sold gems• Southeast Asia – sold spices• Western Europe – Sold Slaves

Constantinople

• Constantinople became a bustling city where cultures from all over Europe, Asia, and Africa blended to make a city that achieved unmatched advances in learning, art, trading etc…

The Byzantine Empire under Justinian – 527-565

• The Emperor Justinian increased the size of the Byzantine Empire to it largest size.

• His chief goal as ruler was to restore the glory that the great Roman Empire once experienced.

The Result:

• Italy, though reacquired was devastated from the wars.

• Justinian’s government went bankrupt, thus weakening the Empires defense.

• The weakened armies of the Byzantine were unable to hold onto the conquered lands following the age of Justinian.

Justinian’s Accomplishments: 

• Through beautification projects he made Constantinople one of the world’s most outstanding architectural landmarks (Hagia Sophia).

Code of Laws

• The greatest of all of Justinian’s accomplishments.• Corpus Juris Civilis – “Body of Civil Law” (Justinian’s

Code). • Laws were based on a collection of ancient Roman laws.• Principles of his code were later used by leaders of the

Catholic Church and medieval rulers of Europe.• Today’s international laws are based on Justinian’s code.• Used his laws to unite his empire, though he was an

absolute ruler.•  

Theodora:

• Wife of Justinian• Helped Justinian to rule the empire• Pioneered woman’s rights• Strong-willed woman who helped Justinian run

Empire and put down revolts.• Greatly influenced Justinian in times of crisis.• Upon her death the power of Justinian would

begin to deteriorate.• Death of Theodora in many cases, symbolized the

start of Byzantine decline.

Justinian (cont.)

• Justinian ruled not only over his Empire, but also the Orthodox Church.

• “Christ’s co-ruler”

• Pope controlled Church affairs

• People accepted pope’s claim to authority over all Christians

• Clergy prohibited from marrying

• Latin was language of the Church

• Christmas was main holy day

• Use of holy images permitted.

• Byzantine emperor controlled Church affairs

• People rejected pope’s claim to authority over all Christians

• Clergy kept right to marry

• Greek was language of the Church

• Easter was main holy day

• Emperor outlawed the use of icons, or holy images

Western European ChristianityByzantine Christianity

1054 – Differences between east and west provoked a schism, or permanent split, between the Eastern (Greek) Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church.

Christianity in East and West1

Decline of the Byzantine Empire1

The Byzantine Heritage

• The Byzantines extended Roman achievements in engineering and the law.

• Byzantine artists made unique contributions that influenced western styles from the Middle Ages to the present.

• Byzantine scholars preserved the classic works of ancient Greece. They also produced their own great books, especially in the field of history.

For 1,000 years, the Byzantines built on the culture of the Hellenistic world. Byzantine civilization blended Christian beliefs with Greek science, philosophy, arts, and literature.

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