byzantine empire

The Byzantine The Byzantine EmpireEmpire

Why study the Byzantine Empire?Why study the Byzantine Empire?

The Byzantine Empire preserved the classical knowledge created by the Greeks and Romans (Greco-Roman culture). Much of this knowledge was “lost” to western Europe after the decline and fall of the western empire.

Division of the Roman EmpireDivision of the Roman EmpireDiocletian - Roman - Roman Emperor Emperor in 284 ADin 284 AD. . Remember him? He was the guy who Remember him? He was the guy who split the empire and took the wealthy split the empire and took the wealthy Eastern side for himself?Eastern side for himself?

Restored efficient governmentRestored efficient government to the to the empireempire

This reorganizationThis reorganization of the fiscal, of the fiscal, administrative, and military machinery of administrative, and military machinery of the empire the empire laid the foundation laid the foundation for the for the Byzantine Empire in the East.Byzantine Empire in the East.

http://www.roman-emperors.org/dioclet.htm

Constantine moved Constantine moved the Roman capital the Roman capital to to ByzantiumByzantium at the at the entrance to the entrance to the Black Sea. He Black Sea. He renamed the city, renamed the city, ConstantinopleConstantinople. It . It was considered the was considered the ““New RomeNew Rome”… ”… Rome #2!!!Rome #2!!!

Why would he move Why would he move the capital there?the capital there?

Roman Empire:Roman Empire:ConstantineConstantine

Bosphorus

Black Sea

Sea of Marmara

Constantinople was much Constantinople was much further away from the further away from the Barbarian attacksBarbarian attacks of the of the Germanic tribes.Germanic tribes.

Much Much easier to protecteasier to protect than than RomeRome– Easily fortified site on a Easily fortified site on a

peninsula with excellent peninsula with excellent harborsharbors

– Protection of eastern frontierProtection of eastern frontier

Why Constantinople?Why Constantinople?

From From World History: World History: Connections to Today Connections to Today Prentice Hall, 2003Prentice Hall, 2003

The capital of the Eastern Roman Empire was The capital of the Eastern Roman Empire was changed to Constantinople because is changed to Constantinople because is offered political, economic and military offered political, economic and military

advantages.advantages.

Center of trade– Closer to Rome’s

trading partners.– Connects Asia,

North Africa and Europe.

Remained the HQ of the Byzantine Empire until conquered in 1453CE by Ottoman Turks.

Why select Constantinople as the Why select Constantinople as the Eastern Roman Empire Capital?Eastern Roman Empire Capital?

From From World History: World History: Connections to Today Connections to Today Prentice Hall, 2003Prentice Hall, 2003

JustinianJustinian The Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire

initially controlled a initially controlled a small area around the small area around the eastern Mediterranean eastern Mediterranean

During the reign of During the reign of Justinian (Justinian (527527--565565), it ), it started to recover much started to recover much of the of the territory of the old territory of the old Roman empireRoman empire. During . During his reign, he doubled the his reign, he doubled the size of the Byzantine size of the Byzantine Empire.Empire.

BYZANTINE EMPIRE BEFORE JUSTINIAN

BYZANTINE EMPIREAFTER JUSTINIAN

Before and After

The Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine EmpireUnder JustinianUnder Justinian

Justinian was able to greatly improve the wealth and Justinian was able to greatly improve the wealth and the power of the Byzantine Empire…How?the power of the Byzantine Empire…How?

By Expanding Trade!By Expanding Trade!

Find theseFind these•Constantinople Constantinople •RomeRome•Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea •Sea of Marmara Sea of Marmara •Aegean Sea Aegean Sea •Black SeaBlack Sea•Bosporus Strait Bosporus Strait •Dardanelles StraitDardanelles Strait

MAPMAP PRACTICEPRACTICE

DardanellesDardanelles

Bosphorus StraitBosphorus Strait

RR CC

MSMS

MAPMAP

PRACTICEPRACTICE

Write answers on your white board…Write answers on your white board…1.1. If you traveled from Rome to Constantinople, in If you traveled from Rome to Constantinople, in

what cardinal direction would you travel?what cardinal direction would you travel?2.2. What seas are connected by the Dardanelles?What seas are connected by the Dardanelles?

MAPMAP PRACTICEPRACTICE

QUICKQUICK CHECKCHECK

According to the map, which of the following lands According to the map, which of the following lands were were notnot part of the Byzantine Empire in 530? part of the Byzantine Empire in 530?A AthensA AthensB ConstantinopleB ConstantinopleC SicilyC SicilyD CyprusD Cyprus


What is a reason why Constantinople was selected What is a reason why Constantinople was selected to become the capital of the Eastern Roman to become the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire?Empire?

A Close proximity to Germanic TribesA Close proximity to Germanic TribesB Location on an island so it was easier to defendB Location on an island so it was easier to defendC Good location to make trading easierC Good location to make trading easierD Protection of warriorsD Protection of warriors

TradeTrade

The Byzantine Empire was wealthy and produced gold, silk, grain, olives and wine. – It traded with countries as far away as

China and India along the Silk Road trade routes.

Justinian also issued new standardized coins to help trade.

Justinian Achievements Justinian ruled as an

autocrat with the help of Theodora.

Created Justinian’s Code which organized all the laws of ancient Rome.

Art and Architecture – Including the creation of the Hagia Sophia and Hippodrome

Religion - Created a huge Christian empire.

Justinian as an AutocratJustinian as an Autocrat

Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of his wife, Theodora

Autocrat: person withsole power or authority

He combined both political power and spiritual authority.

Justinian’s Code of LawsJustinian’s Code of Laws

Laws were fairer to women. Laws were fairer to women. They could own property They could own property and raise their own and raise their own children after their children after their husbands died.husbands died.

Children allowed to choose Children allowed to choose their own marriage their own marriage partners.partners.

Slavery was legal and Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their slaves must obey their masters.masters.

Punishments were detailed Punishments were detailed and fit the crimeand fit the crime

Codifying Roman Law into the Corpus of Civil Law or “Justinian’s Code.”

This became the basis of most European legal systems.

Justinian VideoJustinian Video http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/

media/action/yt/watch?media/action/yt/watch?videoId=D50IUZPGPqgvideoId=D50IUZPGPqg

How does this apply to you?How does this apply to you?

Why is it important to have class Why is it important to have class rules written and posted?rules written and posted?

Art and ArchitectureArt and Architecture Inspiration provided by Inspiration provided by Christian Christian

religionreligion and imperial power and imperial power Icons (Icons (religiousreligious images) images) MosaicsMosaics in public and religious in public and religious

structuresstructures DomedDomed buildings buildings

– Hagia Sophia (domed Church)Hagia Sophia (domed Church)

InspirationInspiration

Greek OrthodoxGreek Orthodox Christianity and Christianity and imperialimperial patronage enabled the patronage enabled the Byzantine Empire to develop a Byzantine Empire to develop a unique style of art and architectureunique style of art and architecture– ““Orthodox” translates from the Greek to Orthodox” translates from the Greek to

mean “correctly mean “correctly believingbelieving” or "correctly ” or "correctly glorifying" glorifying"

– Imperial patronage: Support of the Imperial patronage: Support of the EmperorEmperor

Icons - Religious ImagesIcons - Religious Images•Byzantine icons are Byzantine icons are sacred sacred paintingspaintings (icons, frescoes and (icons, frescoes and mosaics) of our Lord and mosaics) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, of the Most Savior Jesus Christ, of the Most Holy Mother of God, and of the Holy Mother of God, and of the Angels and Saints. Angels and Saints. •The Virgin of VladmirThe Virgin of Vladmir

•Perhaps the most famous Perhaps the most famous of Byzantine icons. of Byzantine icons. •Notice the loss of a Notice the loss of a realistic realistic style. style.

MosaicsMosaics Whereas Roman mosaics were mostly used as floors,

the Byzantines specialized in covering walls and ceilings. – Found in public places– Religious nature

Often were icons and were worshipped themselves– The smalti (small glass) were ungrouted and set at

slight angles, allowing light to reflect and refract within the glass.

Domed BuildingDomed BuildingHagia Sophia 537CEHagia Sophia 537CE

It is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture, rich with mosaics, marble pillars and domed ceiling. A true example on how imperial patronage allowed art to flourish

Hagia SophiaHagia Sophia•The original structure was destroyed several The original structure was destroyed several times (fire, earthquakes) and rebuilt. times (fire, earthquakes) and rebuilt. •When Constantinople was overrun by When Constantinople was overrun by Muslims, four Muslim towers, called minarets, Muslims, four Muslim towers, called minarets, were added to the corners of the building.were added to the corners of the building.

Hagia Sophia VideoHagia Sophia Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zxRjx4Z5uU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usp6GLrzdws

Hippodrome of ConstantineHippodrome of Constantine U-shaped racetrack that was about 1,476 ft

long and 427 ft wide. Its stands were believed to hold 100,000 spectators (later estimates were closer to 33,000).

During the Byzantine era, the Hippodrome was the center of the city's social life. Only a few fragments of the original structure remain today.

Hippodrome of ConstantineHippodrome of Constantine

Hippodrome VideoHippodrome Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjrnvDn2tcA

Legacy of JustinianLegacy of Justinian1. Preservation of Greek and Roman

traditions and knowledge in Byzantine Libraries.

2. Continuation of those Greek and Roman traditions.

3. Preservation of the Greek Language (in contrast with Latin in Rome!)

4. Greek Orthodox Christianity.5. Building of the Hagia Sophia

ChristianityChristianity Up until now, there had only been

one Christian Church. The church had been organized into

a hierarchy (pyramid of power).

Patriarchs

Bishops

Priests

Greek Orthodox ChristianityGreek Orthodox ChristianityThe cultural and political differences The cultural and political differences

between the eastern and western between the eastern and western Roman Empire weakened the unity of Roman Empire weakened the unity of the Christian Church and led to its the Christian Church and led to its division.division.

It all started with a little claim to the It all started with a little claim to the power…power…

Greek Orthodox ChristianityGreek Orthodox ChristianityThe Roman bishop known as the “Pope” claimed his authority was greater than the emperor’s.

Over time, this Papal authority was accepted in the west (Rome).

LeadershipLeadershipGreek

OrthodoxRoman Catholic

Patriarch Pope

Hierarchy Hierarchy Greek Orthodox Roman Catholic

Emperor was responsible for

maintaining correct religious

practice. The emperor

appointed the Patriarch

Papacy was the most powerful office in the west. Popes

ranked higher than kings. Authority of

Pope accepted in West

LocationLocation

Greek Greek OrthodoxOrthodox

Roman Roman CatholicCatholic

ConstantinoplConstantinoplee

RomeRome

Holiest DaysHoliest Days



EasterEaster ChristmasChristmas

Proximity to the Seat of PowerProximity to the Seat of Power



Close to the Close to the emperor emperor because because

located in located in ConstantinopleConstantinople

Rome is far Rome is far from the from the

emperor; more emperor; more independenceindependence. .

Expectations of PriestsExpectations of PriestsGreek Greek

OrthodoxOrthodoxRoman Roman CatholicCatholic

Priests were Priests were allowed to allowed to marrymarry and and

have childrenhave children

Priests barred Priests barred from marriage from marriage

and were and were expected to expected to

remain remain celibatecelibate. .

Liturgy (Religious Services)Liturgy (Religious Services)Greek Greek


The mass was The mass was performed in performed in

GreekGreek

In the west, the In the west, the mass was mass was

performed in performed in LatinLatin

Praying to IconsPraying to IconsGreek Greek


Emperor banned Emperor banned praying to icons praying to icons

citing citing commandment commandment against ‘against ‘graven graven

imagesimages’’

Pope believes Pope believes icons help icons help

people grasp people grasp teachingsteachings. .

Common TraitsCommon TraitsMonotheisticMonotheisticShared belief in Shared belief in JesusJesus as both as both GodGod

and and sonson of God of GodBelief in the Belief in the afterlifeafterlifeNew TestamentNew Testament as the sacred text as the sacred text Seven SacramentsSeven Sacraments

– Sacred rite recognized by Sacred rite recognized by church (i.e. baptism, matrimony, church (i.e. baptism, matrimony, confirmation)confirmation)

Final Break aka The Great SchismFinal Break aka The Great SchismAll of these differences created All of these differences created

a a tension tension which finally broke which finally broke the two regions into two the two regions into two separate churches in separate churches in 10541054..

In the east, the church became In the east, the church became the the Greek Orthodox ChurchGreek Orthodox Church

In the west, the church became In the west, the church became the the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church


1. What was 1. What was notnot an achievement of Justinian? an achievement of Justinian?A Codification of Greek law (impact on European A Codification of Greek law (impact on European legal legal

codes)codes)B Reconquest of former Roman territoriesB Reconquest of former Roman territoriesC Expansion of tradeC Expansion of tradeD Preservation of Greco-Roman cultureD Preservation of Greco-Roman culture

2.2. What trait was used by both the Roman Catholic What trait was used by both the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church?Church and Eastern Orthodox Church?

A.A. PolytheisticPolytheisticB.B. Icons were bannedIcons were bannedC.C. The New Testament as the sacred textThe New Testament as the sacred textD.D. The Pope as the leader of the churchThe Pope as the leader of the church

The End of the Byzantine EmpireThe End of the Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire

drew to a close in 1453 when forces from the Muslim Ottoman Empire surrounded and conquered Constantinople.

The ancient Christian city was renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

byzantine empire

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