The Byzantine Empire 330 A.D. 1455 A.D. - Miami Arts Charter

The Byzantine Empire

330 A.D. – 1455 A.D.

World History IThe Byzantine Empire

Mr. Pariser (Few Changes by Mr. Leon)

Gold Byzantine Wedding Ring

Byzantine Empire Video Clip

The Fall of Rome -Crash Course

Who is Constantine?

•Roman Emperor-324

•Converts to Christianity - 330

•New capital for Roman Empire

•Christianity spread eastward

C. 288 A.D.–337 A.D.

Today called Istanbul,

Turkey

Trade

•Best trade routes are EAST of Rome

•Ancient city of Byzantium-prime location

•Black and Aegean Seas

•Safe Harbor

•East-west land route

Why Move to Constantinople?

Constantinople

Modern Istanbul

The Byzantine Empire330 A.D. – 1455 A.D.

“The Byzantine Empire survived and prospered, creating a civilization that blended Greek, Roman, and Christian ideas.”

Why did the Byzantine Empire

survive and prosper for 1,000 years?

◆ Constantinople was a might fortress that needed few soldiers to defend it.

◆ Soldiers were then free to protect other areas in the empire.

◆ The empire’s wealth supported a large army and was used to pay invaders to move farther and farther west.

◆ They were able to amass wealth due the their location and accessibility to trade.

◆ Most Christians were united.

How could the influence of Christianity be seen in the city?

◆Relics

◆Christian values

◆Peaceful - Tolerant

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Justinian I

◆ What powers did Justinian hold?

– Controlled Military

– Head of the Church◆ Church defended his decisions◆ His acts were inspired by God

– Head of Government

– Created Laws

– Supreme Judge

– Can declare war or peace

Justinian◆ In what ways was Theodora influential?

– Old Roman laws stated high ranking officials can not marry actresses◆ Justinian abolished that law and married Theodora

– Helped fill government and church offices.

– Rights for women –◆ The first time a Byzantine wife could own land equal in value to her

dowry– Wealth she brought with her when she married

◆ Byzantine also had inheritance rights for both daughters and sons. Thus, a widow could support and raise her children without governmental interference.

– Children of female slaves◆ Did not automatically become slaves and converted a palace into a

convent for young girls to begin a new life.

– She convinced Justinian to remain in Constantinople to fight a revolt protesting high taxes. ◆ (Poor wanted more food and entertainment and rich wanted to avoid

taxes). He was successful and became an even stronger ruler.

Justinian I◆How did Justinian change the old

system of Roman laws?

– Justinian Code

◆ Simplified overcomplex Roman laws

◆ Led by Tribonian and 10 other citizens

◆Why is Justinian Code considered one of his greatest achievements?

– Summarized Roman legal thinking Provided future generations insight for the basic ideas of Roman law

– Influences legal systems of almost every western country.

Hagia Sophia – Holy WisdomConsidered one of Justinian’s greatest accomplishments

Hagia Wisdom

◆ Hagia Sophia– Means ‘Holy Wisdom’.

– Primary Church

– Rebuilt by Emperor Justinian I

– After the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, it became a mosque.

– Structurally, it was the first time such a huge dome, which created a well lit interior, had been placed on top of a rectangular opening.

– Religious center for the Byzantine Empire◆ Over 900 years

Byzantine Empire Under Justinian

What was his goal for the Byzantine Empire?• Reunite Eastern and

Western Empire

• Restore the glory of Rome

• Military Achievements• Conquered Northern

Africa to SouthernPart of Spain

• Greek Fire• Chemical mixture

that ignited when it touched water

Greek Fire

Empire and Church◆ Role of the Church

- (Chart)

◆ Monasteries role

– Helped poor

– Hospitals

– Schools for the needy

– Missionary work

◆ Translated Bible to the vernacular-

– language spoken by people in country or region

Emperor

Patriarch –

Chosen by

Emperor

Metropolitans

Bishops

Priests (could be

married)

Great Schism of 1054

Roman Catholics

◆ Supported Icons

– Most people were illiterate

– Pope◆ Council of Bishops

◆ Excommunicated Leo and supporters

◆ View of Pope

– Infallible

– Vicar- Substitute for Christ

◆ Papacy Succession

Eastern Orthodox Chruch

◆ Opposed icons

– Icons were seen as idols

◆ Paintings/sculptures usedfor worship

– Emperor Leo III (726)

◆ Abolished icons but relented

◆ Patriarch

– Equal in power to other Bishops

– Not a Vicar

◆ Apostolic Succession

Decline of the Byzantine

Empire

Internal Problems

◆ Disease

◆ Civil Wars

◆ Decline of Peasants– Increased taxation

◆ Weak Military

Outside Forces

◆ Seljuk Turks conquered Anatolia (1071)– Heartland of empire

– Lost main food supplies

◆ Crusades– Never came back to full glory

– Fourth Crusade caused riots

◆ Ottoman Empire (1453)– Defeated and conquered

Constantinople

– Renamed it Istanbul

Byzantine Contributions

Byzantine

Contributions

Established Constantinople

Preserved Greek culture

Preserved Roman law

Spread Christianity to

peoples in the East

Spurred the growth of

trade

Developed new techniques in

art