Byzantine Empire

1. Byzantine Empire Amanda G. Arundel High School

2. Byzantium

3. Foundations • Roman Predecessors • Diocletian split the Roman Empire into two sections, aligning myself with a co-emperor Augustus, establishing a tetrachy • This did not last long after his death, and was reversed until Constantine • Constantine reunited the empires but established the capital at Constantinople, with more focus on the Eastern segments of the Empire than the previously Western focus • Established a leniency with Christianity that would make it the dominant religion after the Western fall • In 395 the two empires are officially split • In the 6th century CE Justinian takes command and the Byzantine Empire flourishes

4. Political Structure • Dynasties • First Emperor of the officially designated Eastern Empire • Herculean Dynasty established in the middle 7th century CE only to experience territorial loss. During this period the arts became more political and less innovative • Isaurian Dynasty was then founded after driving out Muslim forces and set about consolidating the empire • Macedonian Empire followed and this saw the revival of the arts and a somewhat of a golden age for the Byzantine. Saw numerous battles among the Bulgarians, Muslims, and eventually Normans • With the Kommenian Dynasty the Byzantine saw the Crusades which would lead to its disintegration, giving way to Russia

5. Religion • Christian Orthodoxy • Initially the Eastern Portion of the Empire followed the traditional Catholic ways • Later n the 11th century CE the church was split into Roman Catholicism and Christian Orthodoxy • Based at Constantinople and had secular leaders, but did not recognize the authority of the Pope • Believed Emperor to be Christ’s messenger for the populace • Most powerful symbol of Orthodoxy was Hagia Sophia, built by Justinian

6. Artistic Achievements • Orthodox Influence • Most of art was spurred by religious influences • Theological impressions were made to create strictly designed interpretations of the Orthodox belief system • More symbolic in approach with less attempts to appease naturalistic principles • Produced the very important aspect of Iconoclasm which spurred the schism between the Roman Catholic church and the Orthodox • Used not only to symbolize religious pursuits but also to create imperial recognition for the Empire • Iconoclasm was used to severely limit the expression of art in other forms, such as murals and mosaics

7. Economic Makeup • Government Involvement • Initial Byzantine Economics involved strict government involvement in the exports and imports of the Empire • Regulated interest rates and had a monopoly on coining currency • Often intervened to prevent economic failures and to redistribute surplus through public works and burucratic salaries • Constantinople remained on of the wealthiest cities in the world and many were impressed by the grandeur • Intersecting the Eastern and Western world it became an important trade center, creating massive wealth • However with the coming of the fourth crusades, the Empire fell into collapse with massive inflation and no economic structure • Eventually contributed to the collapse of the Empire in 1453 CE