BYZANTINE EMPIRE

HEIR TO ROME

Located in Constantinople on the Bosporus strait, which connected the

Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Constantinople

Constantinople

CONNECTIONS TO ROME

• Greek Language

• Cultural Diffusion

• Roman Cultural Influence

JUSTINIAN

Emperor in 527“Pericles” of Byzantium

–built the Hagia SophiaCodified laws of ancient Rome

–Corpus Juris Civilis–Justinian’s Code–Law until 1453 / basis for legal system of modern Europe

                 

   

THEODORA

• Justinian’s Empress• Heritage and personality• Strong politician and negotiator• One of her husband’s most valued

advisors; almost a co-emperor

THEODORA

ALLIES OF THE WEST

• Buffer between East and West• General Belisarius led Justinian’s

forces and reclaimed much of Italy, Spain and North Africa from the Barbarians

• By 552, Justinian temporary wins the territory

Byzantium Problems

• Too much territory to govern, no money in the treasury, plague

• Islamic forces defeat Eastern Roman Empire at Yarmuk (636)

• Byzantium exists until 1453 when it is invaded by the Ottoman Turks

BYZANTINE (Orthodox) CHRISTIANITY

• Role of the Church• Leader of the Church was the Patriarch• Easter is the holiest day• Orthodox priests can marry• Greek, not Latin, is the official language

of the church

GREAT SCHISM

• Byzantium weakened after Macedonians

• Major cause = use of icons

• Disputes began in 700s…

• Permanent schism in 1054

• Excommunication – Pope v Patriarch

• 2001 - first meeting between Pope and Patriarch since the schism!

CONTRIBUTIONS

Preserved knowledge of the Greeks and Romans

• Justinian’s Code of Law• Protected Europe from various

Asian invaders• First important female historian –

ANA COMMENA wrote ALEXIAD