World History I

1. World History I Unit Seven Block Three Lecture Contributions and cultural achievements of the Byzantine Empire

2. Make sure that you are viewing this in “Slide Show” format. Click on “Slide Show” and push “from beginning”. Move through the presentation by pushing on the “up” and “down” arrows” on your keyboard Click me Toto … we’re not in Rome anymore!

3. Justinian – “last of the Romans” Click me • Justinian is Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565 CE/AD • He was able to temporary regain former Roman land in Carthage and Italy from 535 to 553 CE/AD and supported expansion of trade • The Empire achieves its height in cultural and economic prosperity during his reign

4. The Justinian Code (does he follow it?) Click Here • Justinian created the Code of Justinian (CorupusIurusCivilis) in 529 CE/AD • Justinian codified (wrote down) existing Roman Lawsincluding natural law, law of nations, and civil law. This code would impact European legal codes for generations • But Justinian is also ruthless and he suppresses Nika Revolt in 532 CE/AD. This suppression of a really bad political riot leads to lasting social issues. Like burning down half of Constantinople bad!

5. The Greek Orthodox Church Click me • Greek Orthodox Christianityis recognized in the Byzantine Empire after 1054 CE/AD. It is different than Roman Christianity (covered next class). • The Orthodox Church creates these cultural works • Icons: sacred works of art portraying religious images that provide inspiration and connect the worshipper with the spiritual world • Mosaics: the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials found in public and religious structures • Architecture: the Hagia Sophia (domed church) is located in Constantinople (360 CE/AD)

6. The Byzantine military still thinks like the imperial Romans Click me • The Byzantine military is a powerful force that fends off invading barbarians. • The Byzantine navy is powerful and defends Constantinople on three sides • The navy uses “Greek Fire” to defeat the Muslim navy during the siege of Constantinople. Greek fire is a gel like gasoline that does not go out easily (we call it “napalm!”).

7. Preserving Greco-Roman Culture(the most important thing) Click me • The Byzantine Empire becomes the last civilized place in western civilization after the fall of Rome. • The Empire uses the Greek language (instead of Latin). We still speak Greek and can translate books and papers from the classical Era. • Byzantine libraries act as repositories of Greek and Roman knowledge. Without libraries, we would probably not know any of the history you were taught this year! No … not THAT ark! (but the same idea)