lecture byzantineempire
TRANSCRIPT
The Byzantine Empire
Christian Civilization in
Eastern Europe
500-1450 c.e.
BYZANTINE EMPIRE
Origins of the Empire
The Roman Empire was divided into districts – one division was Byzantium.
In 330 c.e., the capital of the Roman Empire was moved to Constantinople on the Bosporus Strait
Origins of the Empire
The Western part of the Roman Empire fell in the 400s ce. The Eastern part remained – historians call it the Byzantine Empire.
Its culture was Roman and Greek (and Persian) and Christian.
The Height of the Byzantine Empire
Politically, the Byzantine Empire was at its height in the 6th century under the rule of Emperor Justinian.
Emperor Justinian
He rebuilt the city in classical style (including the Christian Church – The Hagia Sophia)
Emperor Justinian
He reestablished a unified and codified law - which influenced much of Europe.
Political Characteristics of the Empire
A complex bureaucracy developed around an absolutist emperor.
Economic Characteristics of the Empire
The bureaucracy regulated trade and food prices.
Commercial network extended into Asia, Russia, N & W Europe, and Africa.
Religious Characteristics of the Empire
It was an Orthodox Christian Empire.
East – West Split Orthodox Church (Eastern)
and the Roman Catholic Church (Western) became separate in 1054 ce.
Split was caused by interpretations of the Greek & Latin translations of the Bible and POLITICAL conflict between Western Kingdoms and the Byzantine Empire.
Social Characteristics of the Empire
Women had less status than in earlier Roman society. (There was some veiling and seclusion.)
Decline of the Byzantine Empire
The empire lost territory to Arab armies in the 600s
In the 1000s Muslim Turks took almost all of the Asian provinces.
War with the Seljuk Turks
The Byzantine Empire - changes