BYZANTINE EMPIRE

BYZANTINE EMPIRE

The Roman Empire, 14 C.E.

Aspects of Constantinople – The New Rome

Aspects of Constantinople – The New Rome

Center of East Roman Empire

Linked Mediterranean Sea & Black Sea

Excellent Harbors Control over key trade

routes Elaborate court life Preserved Greek &

Roman cultures Lasted 1000 years after

the fall of Western empire

Center of East Roman Empire

Linked Mediterranean Sea & Black Sea

Excellent Harbors Control over key trade

routes Elaborate court life Preserved Greek &

Roman cultures Lasted 1000 years after

the fall of Western empire

Byzantine EmpireAge of Justinian (527-565)

Byzantine EmpireAge of Justinian (527-565)

Byzantine empire reached greatest heights

Autocratic ruler Goal to recover

western Roman provinces lost to invaders

Reconquered parts of North Africa, Italy, & So. Spain

Byzantine empire reached greatest heights

Autocratic ruler Goal to recover

western Roman provinces lost to invaders

Reconquered parts of North Africa, Italy, & So. Spain

West Roman EmpireWest Roman Empire

Justinian’s EmpireJustinian’s Empire

Justinian’s RuleJustinian’s Rule

Autocrat- sole ruler with complete authority

Wife Theodora co-ruler & advisor Large bureaucracy Power over church Combined political/spiritual authority Used his law code to unite empire

Autocrat- sole ruler with complete authority

Wife Theodora co-ruler & advisor Large bureaucracy Power over church Combined political/spiritual authority Used his law code to unite empire

Code of Law: Corpus Juris Civilis

Code of Law: Corpus Juris Civilis Justinian’s Code of Law:

Gathered & organized ancient laws of Rome Collection became the “body of civil law” Included: Roman laws, legal writings, and

student handbooks on law By 1100’s code of law reached Western Europe

becoming basis for the law of the Roman Catholic Church and the medieval rulers

International law today influenced by this code of laws

Justinian’s Code of Law: Gathered & organized ancient laws of Rome Collection became the “body of civil law” Included: Roman laws, legal writings, and

student handbooks on law By 1100’s code of law reached Western Europe

becoming basis for the law of the Roman Catholic Church and the medieval rulers

International law today influenced by this code of laws

Characteristics of Byzantine Empire

Characteristics of Byzantine Empire

Byzantine empire a buffer between the East and West

Turned back armies of the Islamic Arabs Created a strong centralized government Trade & industry flourished Developed a money-based economy

Bezant (Byzant) curreny Preserved heritage of Roman law/engineering Created branch of Orthodox Christianity that

spread throughout Eastern Europe, Africa, & Greece

Byzantine empire a buffer between the East and West

Turned back armies of the Islamic Arabs Created a strong centralized government Trade & industry flourished Developed a money-based economy

Bezant (Byzant) curreny Preserved heritage of Roman law/engineering Created branch of Orthodox Christianity that

spread throughout Eastern Europe, Africa, & Greece

690 AD: A "Bezant", minted in the East Roman (or Byzantine) Empire. The Bezant remained pure and unadulterated for almost 800 years, making it the longest lasting example of sound money in history. This particular coin is reputed to be the first to portray Christ.

ChristianityChristianity Western Church (Rome) Roman Catholic Priests cannot marry Latin language Main holiday- Christmas Pope head of church Pope selected by

cardinals Church inherited

government functions when West Roman empire collapsed

Western Church (Rome) Roman Catholic Priests cannot marry Latin language Main holiday- Christmas Pope head of church Pope selected by

cardinals Church inherited

government functions when West Roman empire collapsed

Eastern Church (Constantinople)

Orthodox Christianity Priests can marry Greek language Main holiday- Easter Patriarch highest church

official Patriarch appointed by

Emperor Emperor controlled church Rejected Pope’s authority

Eastern Church (Constantinople)

Orthodox Christianity Priests can marry Greek language Main holiday- Easter Patriarch highest church

official Patriarch appointed by

Emperor Emperor controlled church Rejected Pope’s authority

Lasting Impacts of the Byzantine Empire

Lasting Impacts of the Byzantine Empire

Arts Preserved Roman

architecture Architecture blended

Greek, Roman, Persian, & Middle Eastern styles (Hellenistic culture)

Mosaic icons brought Biblical scenes to life

Arts Preserved Roman

architecture Architecture blended

Greek, Roman, Persian, & Middle Eastern styles (Hellenistic culture)

Mosaic icons brought Biblical scenes to life

Learning Preserved Hellenistic

(Greek) science, philosophy, and literature

Historians such as Procopius, preserved time period in historical writings

1st important female historian, Anna Comnena,wrote about Crusades

Byzantine scholars transport knowledge to West

Learning Preserved Hellenistic

(Greek) science, philosophy, and literature

Historians such as Procopius, preserved time period in historical writings

1st important female historian, Anna Comnena,wrote about Crusades

Byzantine scholars transport knowledge to West

The Empire’s NeighborsThe Empire’s Neighbors

1056-1453: Decline of the Byzantine Empire

1056-1453: Decline of the Byzantine Empire

1071: Seljuk Turks defeat Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert 1204: Constantinople falls to Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade. 1261: Constantinople is liberated from the Crusaders. 1453: Fall of Constantinople to Ottoman

Turks 

1071: Seljuk Turks defeat Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert 1204: Constantinople falls to Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade. 1261: Constantinople is liberated from the Crusaders. 1453: Fall of Constantinople to Ottoman

Turks