The Byzantine Empire 330-1360

2. The Byzantine Empire 330-1360 Called the “New Rome” and located in what is now modern day Turkey. Constantinople = Istanbul Once called Eastern Roman Empire was renamed The Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine.

3. Geography: • Much of the success of the Byzantine Empire was based on its selected location for its capital city of Constantinople. • Location: • Located on the shores of the Bosporus strait which linked the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

4. Constantinople

5. Merchants from: • China – sold silk • Egyptians - sold wheat • Scandinavians – sold furs • India – sold gems • Southeast Asia – sold spices • Western Europe – Sold Slaves

6. Constantinople • Constantinople became a bustling city where cultures from all over Europe, Asia, and Africa blended to make a city that achieved unmatched advances in learning, art, trading etc…

7. The Byzantine Empire under Justinian – 527-565 • The Emperor Justinian increased the size of the Byzantine Empire to it largest size. • His chief goal as ruler was to restore the glory that the great Roman Empire once experienced.

8. The Result: • Italy, though reacquired was devastated from the wars. • Justinian’s government went bankrupt, thus weakening the Empires defense. • The weakened armies of the Byzantine were unable to hold onto the conquered lands following the age of Justinian.

9. Justinian’s Accomplishments: • Through beautification projects he made Constantinople one of the world’s most outstanding architectural landmarks (Hagia Sophia).

10. Code of Laws • The greatest of all of Justinian’s accomplishments. • Corpus JurisCivilis – “Body of Civil Law” (Justinian’s Code). • Laws were based on a collection of ancient Roman laws. • Principles of his code were later used by leaders of the Catholic Church and medieval rulers of Europe. • Today’s international laws are based on Justinian’s code. • Used his laws to unite his empire, though he was an absolute ruler.

11. Theodora: • Wife of Justinian • Helped Justinian to rule the empire • Pioneered woman’s rights • Strong-willed woman who helped Justinian run Empire and put down revolts. • Greatly influenced Justinian in times of crisis. • Upon her death the power of Justinian would begin to deteriorate. • Death of Theodora in many cases, symbolized the start of Byzantine decline.

12. Justinian (cont.) • Justinian ruled not only over his Empire, but also the Orthodox Church. • “Christ’s co-ruler”

13. 1 Christianity in East and West Western European Christianity Byzantine Christianity • Byzantine emperor controlled Church affairs • People rejected pope’s claim to authority over all Christians • Clergy kept right to marry • Greek was language of the Church • Easter was main holy day • Emperor outlawed the use of icons, or holy images • Pope controlled Church affairs • People accepted pope’s claim to authority over all Christians • Clergy prohibited from marrying • Latin was language of the Church • Christmas was main holy day • Use of holy images permitted. 1054 – Differences between east and west provoked a schism, or permanent split, between the Eastern (Greek) Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church.

14. 1 Decline of the Byzantine Empire

15. 1 The Byzantine Heritage For 1,000 years, the Byzantines built on the culture of the Hellenistic world. Byzantine civilization blended Christian beliefs with Greek science, philosophy, arts, and literature. • The Byzantines extended Roman achievements in engineering and the law. • Byzantine artists made unique contributions that influenced western styles from the Middle Ages to the present. • Byzantine scholars preserved the classic works of ancient Greece. They also produced their own great books, especially in the field of history.