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Byzantine Civilization. 2.3. Background. Split in church Created two distinct European civilizations Byzantine Civilization Orthodox Tradition. Culture…..Unique. Constantinople= crossroads of trade Mixer of classic Greek and Roman ideas Preserving Roman law
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Background • Split in church • Created two distinct European civilizations • Byzantine Civilization • Orthodox • Tradition
Culture…..Unique • Constantinople= crossroads of trade • Mixer of classic Greek and Roman ideas • Preserving Roman law • Would have been lost without Byzantine • Justinian • Admired order • Legal legacy was confusing…local laws, imperial laws and judge’s decisions • Organized lawyers to organize • Unified Code- systematic body of law
Justinian Code • Published in 529 • In today’s terms seems harsh • Did protect some individual rights • Theodora’s influence • Women rights…could inherit property • Preserved roman legal tradition • Many nations still base legal system on roman Law
Justinian Code • Four Parts • The Code • Collection of Roman laws • The digest • Summary of writings by experts • The Institutes • Basic principles of Roman law in textbook form for the purpose of teaching law students • Novels • Laws issued by Justinian
Art and Architecture • Own style • Hagia Sophia • Cross shaped floor plan • Topped by enormous dome • 185 feet above floor • Lamps hung to give golden glow
Arts • Flat and formal and religious • Icons and mosaics • Design made with colored stones and small pieces of glass • Backed with shimmering sheets of gold • Mosaics glowing with rich color covered walls and domes of churches
Education and Literature • Important aspect of civilization • Government supported schools • Older students learned philosophy, math and music • Libraries copied and preserved manuscripts • Handwritten documents • Homer’s epics, Greek and Roman philosophy • Would have been lost without libraries
Spread of Byzantine Culture • Long and Violent history • Armies had to fight off invasions • Imperial court known for plots and power struggles • Rulers blinded, poisoned, or beheaded • Culture still spread • How?...Two Ways, Constantinople and Missionaries
Lure of Constantinople • Visitors wanted to come to Constantinople • Trade was key • Scholars came to study • Artists came to work • Byzantine leaders flaunted wealth • Elaborate ceremonies, jewels and rich clothing • Visitors took ideas and products back with them • Venice and Ravenna outposts for art and architecture • Russia and Ukraine took many elements
Missionary Work • Missionaries traveled with church and Byzantine ideas • Late 800’s • Traveled through Eastern Europe • Home of Slavs (Russians, Serbs, Bulgarians)
Cyril and Methodius • Most Famous Missionaries • Came from noble family • “Apostles of Slavs” • 862 King of Moravia asked Emperor Michael III to send missionaries to Slavic • Cyril and Methodius sent..they knew language • Cyril invented alphabet of Slavic Language • Translated Bible
Cyrillic Alphabet • Gave Slavs their first written language • Alphabet still used today in some form • Russia, Serbian and Slavic languages
Conversion of Russians • Inspired by Cyril and Methodius • Missionaries traveled to North RUS (Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia) • 988 Prince Vladimir • Sent officials to Constantinople to learn faith • Hagia Sophia dazzled them • When they returned Prince and Russians converted
End of Empire • Always under attack • Germanic Tribes from west took control of some lands • East Perisan Empire constant threat • Arabs from south and Slavs from North • Wanted rich city of Contanstinople • For centuries held their own • City strong wall’s by land • By sea…new weapon
Greek Fire • Chemical mixture that burned furiously • Even in water • would shoot at enemy ships • http://www.history.com/videos/greek-fire-a-bomb-of-the-ancients#greek-fire-a-bomb-of-the-ancients
End came Slowly • Attackers took small bits • Kept Constantinople • Final Attack • Turks • Greek fire no match to the gunpowder • Giant Canons hurled 1,200 pound balls at walls • 1453 city fell to turks