1. The Byzantine Empire One God, One Empire, One Religion

2. Byzantine Empire Founded shortly before the beginning of the Christian Era- proud of their Christian and Roman heritage Founded on the European side of the Bosporus, midway between the Mediterranean and Black Seas A natural transit point between Europe and Anatolia (Asia Minor) Referred to as the “new Rome” by Constantine

3. Melting-Pot The Byzantine Empire’s fortunes were intimately entwined with those of Europe and Asia Byzantines believed civilization ended with the boundaries of their world However, barbarians (outsiders) would be welcomed if they accepted Baptism and pledged loyalty to the emperor Many traders and visitors The result- a melting-pot society

4. The Reign of Justinian The height of the first period of Byzantine history (324-632) was the reign of Emperor Justinian (r. 537-565) and his wife Empress Theodora (d. 548) Justinian’s Reign

5. Rebuilding Justinian was determined to rebuild the city on an even grander scale than ever before His public works included new bridges, public baths, aqueducts, parks, roads, and hospitals

6. Hagia Sophia Justinian’s greatest monument was the magnificent domed church of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom), which was constructed in just five years (532­37).

7. Reclaiming Territory

8. Justinian Code Single, uniform code of laws Decided legal questions that regulated whole areas of Byzantine life Consisted of 4 works: 1.Code 2.Digest 3.Institutes 4.Novellae

9. Religion in the Byzantine Empire Christianity was more than a religion- it was the foundation of the empire The Byzantine church became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church (Orthodox = “in agreement with right belief”)

10. Eastern Orthodox Church Religion and government more closely linked in the Byzantine Empire than in the west Emperor as head of government and the living representative of God and Jesus Christ Church and state were combined into one all-powerful body State religion united people in a common belief and played a central role in daily life Most people attended church regularly Religious sacraments for all stages of life Monasteries and convents

11. Church Hierarchy Emperor Patriarch Bishop Priest

12. Conflict Between East and West East Many cities Much trade Great wealth Culture largely shaped by Greek heritage Spoke Greek Emperors and patriarchs had religious authority West Mostly rural and agricultural Not as wealthy Culture influenced by Frankish and Germanic cultures Spoke Latin Pope had religious authority

13. Conflict- Iconoclasm Leo III banned use of religious images Iconoclasm = “icon smashing” This policy leads to the destruction of much religious art Pope Gregory III excommunicated the emperor

14. Conflict- Holy Roman Emperor

15. Conflict- Schism Cerularius closed all churches that worshiped with western rites Cardinal Humbert is sent to Constantinople Excommunications all ‘round!

16. The Fourth Crusade Crusades- military campaigns sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages Muslim power growing in the East, control of Jerusalem Crusaders allied with deposed Byzantine prince

17. The Turks Sack Constantinople Michael VIII Palaeologos recaptured Constantinople from the Latins Rebirth of the Byzantine Empire Ottoman Turks sack Constantinople in 1453 Turkish culture will take over and the Byzantine Empire ends The Fall of Constantinople

18. Contribution to Western Civilization Throughout the early Middle Ages, the Byzantine Empire remained a protective barrier between western Europe and hostile Persian, Arab, and Turkish armies. The Byzantines were also a major conduit of classical learning and science into the West down to the Renaissance. While western Europeans were fumbling to create a culture of their own, the cities of the Byzantine Empire provided them a model of a civilized society.