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Intro to the Byzantine Empire

Intro to the Byzantine Empire. Global I: Spiconardi. When Rome falls, the still flourishing eastern part of the empire becomes known as the Byzantine Empire Preserved Greco-Roman Culture Saved Greek and Roman texts from “barbarian” invasions Exposed Muslim world to Greco-Roman culture.

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Intro to the Byzantine Empire

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  1. Intro to the Byzantine Empire Global I: Spiconardi

  2. When Rome falls, the still flourishing eastern part of the empire becomes known as the Byzantine Empire Preserved Greco-Roman Culture Saved Greek and Roman texts from “barbarian” invasions Exposed Muslim world to Greco-Roman culture Preservation of Culture Byzantine Empire at its height in 550 A.D.

  3. Emperor Justinian & His Code • Justinian’s Code(a.k.a Corpus Juris Civilis and Codex Justinainus) • Emperor Justinian consolidated the Twelve Tables into a single code of 5,000 laws • Digest  collection of legal thinkers opinions • Concept of precedents • Institutes textbook for law students • Sets up modern law school system

  4. Emperor Justinian & His Code • Justinian I • The Byzantine Empire reaches it’s cultural and territorial heights under Justinian • A plague in 540 AD brings a quick end to the Byzantine golden age. • Known as the “Emperor who never sleeps” for his work habit • Marries Theodora • Burlesque/lowbrow comedy actress (some historians believe she was a prostitute) • Very influential in running the government/politics • Advocated for women’s social rights

  5. Justinian & Theodora

  6. Emperor Justinian & His Code • Nika Riots • The Byzantine government was organized into demes • Demes  political parties which each controlled a militia • The two main demes were the Blues and the Greens • Competed against each other in chariot races and other sporting events • Attempted to overthrow Justinian for • High taxes • Not completely pardoning members of the Blue and Green Demes for murder

  7. Emperor Justinian & His Code • Nika Riots (Con’t) • Crowd attacks imperial palace and destroy parts of the city • Justinian contemplates fleeing, but Theodora convinces him to squash the rebellion • Justinian bribes some rioters and kills the remaining 30,000. • Justinian rebuilds Constantinople

  8. Arts and Architecture • Mosaics • Continue the practice of the Roman art form • Iconography • Mosaics of religious images

  9. Hippodrome Modeled after Circus Maximus Housed chariot races & the demes Arts and Architecture

  10. Hagia Sophia Church built after Nika Riots Becomes mosque after Byzantine Empire falls to Islamic Turks Today it is now a museum Arts and Architecture

  11. Hagia Sophia

  12. Hagia Sophia

  13. New Form of Christianity • Justinian was very involved in making decisions regarding Christianity • Orthodox Christianity develops as there is little contact between Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire • Kept many traditions of the early Church • 300 million followers today

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