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After the Fall of Rome:. The Byzantine Empire. Recap: Fall of Rome . Western Roman Empire weakened by… Odoacer (barbarian general) invades Rome & makes self king in 476 C.E. Video: Inside Byzantium. What religions or cultures did the Byzantine Empire borrow from?
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After the Fall of Rome: The Byzantine Empire
Recap: Fall of Rome • Western Roman Empire weakened by… • Odoacer (barbarian general) invades Rome & makes self king in 476 C.E.
Video: Inside Byzantium • What religions or cultures did the Byzantine Empire borrow from? • What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire? • What was the Hagia Sophia? • What country was later influenced by the Byzantine Empire? • What were the Crusades? • Who defeated the Byzantine Empire and when?
Introduction • Eastern Roman Empire Byzantine Empire • “Byzantine” – from city of Byzantium • Renamed Constantinople by Constantine (300’s) • Later renamed Istanbul by Turks (after 1453) • Official language: Greek • Religion: Orthodox Christianity • Culture: blend of Greek, Roman, Persian
Constantine (ruled ~306-337) • Reunited Roman Empire after defeating Western Roman Emperor • Converted to Christianity & stopped persecuting Christians • Moved capital to Constantinople • Passed reforms in Roman Empire • New, more stable money (the solidus) • Reorganized government & military
Constantinople • New capital of Empire founded by Constantine because it was… • Easier to defend • Located along many trade routes • Video: Engineering an Empire – Byzantines (12:50-20:10) • Formerly known as Byzantium • Currently known as Istanbul
Theodosius (378-395) • Last emperor to “officially” rule over both halves of Roman Empire • Made Christianity official religion of Roman Empire • Passed laws against pagan (i.e. non-Christian) religions • Made a saint Orthodox Christianity
Justinian (527-565) • Married Theodora (burlesque dancer) • Persecuted non-Christians & passed “morality laws” • Tried to reconquer western part of Roman Empire • Raised taxes & “squeezed” people for money • People rioted in Hippodrome, Theodora persuaded Justinian not to flee, & put down rebels
Justinian (527-565) • Military conquests successful, but also bankrupted empire • Hagia Sophia – “Church of Holy Wisdom” • Corpus JurisCivilis (Code of Justinian) • Collection of laws written during Roman Empire • Basis of modern civil law (written & collected laws)
Byzantine Empire Weakens • Invasions (Arabs, Turks, Russians, Crusaders, etc.) • Ignored own military & relied on mercenaries • Crusades (Sack of Constantinople in 4th Crusade) • Civil wars • Weak emperors
Downfall & Legacy • Fall of Constantinople (1453) • Mehmed II & Ottoman Turks laid siege to city • Broke through walls using cannons • Constantine XI (last Byzantine Emperor) died defending city • Legacy of Byzantine Empire • Protected Western Europe from eastern invaders [for a time] • Influences on art, architecture, & religion still seen today