the eastern remains of the roman empire. as the roman empire began to weaken, the emperor...
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THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE & THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH
The Eastern Remains of the Roman Empire
WEAKENING OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
As the Roman Empire began to weaken, the Emperor Constantine moved the capital city from Rome to the city of Byzantium in 330 A.D. It was known as the “New Rome,” but
was later named Constantinople. This city grew and prospered at the crossroads to the East, but the Western Roman Empire was not as lucky. As Germanic tribes attacked the city of Rome, it fell, leaving the Eastern city as the legacy of the Romans. This city became the
center of the Byzantine Empire.
CONSTANTINOPLE: A CROSSROADS
Located on a peninsula jutting into the Black Sea toward Asia
Surrounded by water on 3 sides and fortified by walls and watchtowers across the land
Linked East and West as central point of land and sea trade routes
A WEALTHY CITY
City’s location made it richest in the Mediterranean for over 700 years Ivory, silks, furs, perfume luxuries
traded
Population over a million people Culture a mix of Greek, Roman, and
that of the many travelers from three continents
Wealthy enjoyed their luxuries Poor swept the cities streets to
receive bread handouts from the emperor
Technologically and culturally advanced with sewer systems, hospitals, entertainment, and church
THE REIGN OF JUSTINIAN
527 to 565 A.D.Married to Theodora, a leader for her city
JUSTINIAN’S CONTRIBUTIONS
Determined to rebuild the city after a revolt by the people
Established public works programs Built bridges, public baths,
parks, roads, and hospitals Built grand churches
Hagia Sophia Launched military
campaigns to reclaim territory
JUSTINIAN’S CODE
Systematic body of law created by Justinian Encouraged by Theodora Revised and updated
Roman codes Extended women’s rights
(property) Became basis for western
legal codes
Byzantine Empire under Justinian
THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCHThe Foundation of an Empire
Hagia Sophia
CONSTANTINE’S DREAM
Imagined his “New Rome” as religious center of the Roman Empire
Church used idea of councils to address disputes and answer questions of faith
Orthodox faith of Christianity based on set of beliefs traced to Jesus and the work of early bishops in the Christian councils
Linked closely with government as one all-powerful body
CHURCH’S ROLE
DAILY LIFE PRACTICES
People attended church regularly
Religious sacraments for all stages of life
Monasteries and Convents cared for sick and poor
Wealthy supported work of the church
Church Hierarchy from Emperor to Patriarch to Bishops to Priests
Liturgy conducted in Greek was sacred rite of worship
Architecture and art represented religious symbols High dome with square base Rich decorations like
entering God’s kingdom Icons represented on walls,
in windows, and as mosaics
THE BREAK FROM THE WEST
Eastern Orthodox Church came into conflict with Christian churches of West Iconoclasm – orders by Byzantine emperor to
destroy icons after seeing people were worshipping symbols and images instead of God
Crowning of Empress Irene in 800 led the Pope of the West to “defend” the church against the rule of a woman by crowning Frank King Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor
Great Schism – split of the East from West in symbolic ceremony between Cardinal representing West and Patriarch defending Eastern traditions
END RESULT OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
The Byzantine Empire saw great development in the rule of the people and the role of the church. With the new codes of law and the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the division of the East and West was more clear. This prosperous Empire was successful for 1000 years, but the entrance of the Turks from the East ended their mighty reign.
COMPARATIVE WORK
Write a thesis that taps for the prompt to the right. Fill out the outline included at the end of your notes.
Analyze the similarities and differences in the codes of Justinian and Quranic law while discussing the long term impacts of each code on contemporary society.