1. Justinian and the Byzantine Empire
SSWH4 Analyze the importance of Justinian; include the influence of the Empress Theodora, Justinian’s Code, and Justinian’s efforts to recapture the west.

2. Reign of Justinian
5th century, Eastern Roman empire was centered around Constantinople
Justinian became emperor in 527/ determined to reestablish the Roman empire in the Mediterranean/ reached his goals by 552

3. Constantinople

4. Life in Constantinople
Largest city in Europe in the Middle Ages
Based on trade until the 12th century/ Europe’s greatest center of Commerce
During Justinian’s reign, silkworms were smuggled from China to begin a silk industry
Hagia Sophia = church of Holy Wisdom
Hippodrome = arena where gladiator fights & chariot races were held

5. Justinian and Theodora
Autocrat – ruler who has complete authority
Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora. Created a huge Christian empire
Empire reached its greatest size

6. Justinian and Theodora
Built Hagia Sophia
Rebuilt the Hippodrome

7. Justinian and Theodora
Justinian created the Body of Civil Law = code of Roman laws that was the basis of imperial law in Eastern Roman empire until its end in 1453
Aka Justinian’s Code

8. Justinian’s Code of Laws
Laws were fairer to women. They could own property and raise their own children after their husbands died.
Children allowed to choose their own marriage partners.
Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their masters.
Punishments were detailed and fit the crime
His work inspired the modern concept and, indeed, the very spelling of "justice".

9. Emperor Justinian

11. Beginning of Byzantine Empire
Justinian’s conquest left Eastern Roman empire with too much land to protect far from Constantinople
Arab Muslims were the biggest threat to Eastern Roman Empire
Islamic forces defeated an army of Eastern Roman at Yarmuk in 636 & lost Syria & Palestine
679, Bulgars defeated the Eastern Roman empire & took possession of the lower Danube Valley
8th century, Eastern Roman empire was much smaller (Asia minor & eastern Balkans)

12. Byzantine Empire Both a Greek & Christian state
Greek replaced Latin as the official language
Christian church became known as Eastern Orthodox Church
Byzantine emperor controlled the church & the state
Emperor appointed the head of the church
Government & religious officials were all bound together in the service of a spiritual ideal

14. Byzantine Empire Macedonians ruled the Byzantine Empire from 876-1081
Macedonians expanded the empire
Expanded trade relations w/ Western Europe
Late 11th century = lot of political & social disorder

15. Byzantine Art: Mosaics and Illuminated Manuscripts

16. Hagia Sophia

17. The 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.