1. The Greatness of the Byzantine Empire
Unit 5
Chapter 11
Lesson 2

2. Vocabulary Justinian I - Emperor of Byzantine Empire 527-565 CE
Cathedral - Large important Christian church
Hagia Sophia- Cathedral in Constantinople
Constantinople -Capital of Byzantine Empire
Theodora- Empress of Byzantine Empire
Justinian Code- Set of Laws
Icon- Religious picture of Jesus and saints

3. Constantinople Formerly Byzantium named after Constantine
Capitol of Byzantine Empire

4. Hagia Sophia rebuilt by Emperor Justinian I after destroyed in riots
Hagia Sophia means Church of Holy Wisdom of God in Greek
Hagia = Holy Sophia = Wisdom
Located in Constantinople
Largest Cathedral in world for nearly 1,000 years
Painting depicting Construction of
Hagia Sophia during reign of Justinian

5. Hagia Sophia then
Hagia Sepia now

6. Hagia Sophia became an Islamic Mosque, today it is Museum

7. Interior of Hagia Sophia by John Singer Sargent
1891 CE

8. All Byzantine Cathedrals were decorated in great detail
Jesus Mosaic,
one of many that have been uncovered in modern times

10. 527 CE Justinian I ascended to the Byzantine throne
Wanted to restore the Roman Empire
Wanted to govern it as a whole
Paid Persian Kings to stop threatening the far western part of Asia –
Far Eastern Part of Byzantine Empire
Strong army conquered
Many lands lost by Rome
Mediterranean Islands
N. Africa - Vandals
Italy - Ostrogoths
Spain - Visigoths
Coin commemorating Justinian's re-conquests of Africa, c. 535

11. The Byzantine Empire of Justinian’s Reign
Purple = size of Empire when Justinian came to power
Orange = lands conquered by Justinian

12. Theodora & Justinian Was a commoner Most trusted advisor
A circus performer in the Hippodrome
Dad was a bear trainer
Most trusted advisor
Intelligent
political wisdom
Street smart
Told Justinian to defend city against attack in 532 C.E.
Government jobs based on ability not social class

13. Justinian Code Wanted to organize laws Made empire operate smoothly
10 men review 1,600 books of Roman Law to create simpler laws
Men created Justinian Code
4,000 Laws in 4 books
Many legal systems today based on code
One of the laws in Justinian Code stated that a person was innocent until proven guilty
Many laws reflect Theodora’s view of treating women more fairly

14. Mosaic of Justinian as law-giver from San Vitale of Ravenna Cathedral

15. Architecture very important
to show power of the Empire
New harbors
Aqueducts
Cisterns
Churches
Interior & Bell Tower at St. Vitale Ravenna

16. Valens Aqueduct in Constantinople

17. Byzantine Art Pair of Jeweled bracelets 500-700CE
flask with the adoration of the Magi CE
Portrait bust of Woman with a scroll late 4th-early 5th Century

18. Two Panels of an Ivory Diptych Announcing the Consulship of Justinian, 521CE

19. Fragment of a Floor Mosaic with a Personification of Ktisis, 500–550

20. Strong Ties between Church & Emperor Justinian I
Byzantine Orthodox Church the Official Church
Church controlled political and cultural life
Justinian believed God chose him to run the Empire
Justinian built the Hagia Sophia to cement relationship between Church and Emperor

21. Religious Icons Pictures or images of Jesus & Saints
2 dimensional
Appear flat
Face front
Large eyes
Reverse viewpoint
From God’s Perspective not viewer” Perspective
God is looking out of picture at viewer
Used as a form of prayer
Use of Icons helped lead to schism between Byzantine Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church in1054
Mary and Jesus Icon

22. Naturalistic vs. Iconic Art
Syric Bible illumination depicting Job vs. Icon of St. Columba

23. End of the Empire Byzantine Empire lasted 500 years
1000 CE empire began to weaken
1054 CE Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church Schism (split)