Heirs of Rome and Persia The Byzantine Empire The Muslim Empire Focus on the Middle Ages

Justinian I Looks at Past Byzantine empire covered the areas of Greece, the Balkans, and Asia Minor (present day Turkey) Lasted 1000 years People thought of themselves as Romans. In 527, Justinian wanted the old ways back—create an empire like before.

Justinian I Looks at the Past (Cont’d) Conquered much of the land around the Mediterranean Sea Early in his reign ordered a code of laws to be written Made it easy for people to understand the laws New set of laws was called the Justianian Code Capital of the empire was Constantinople Ended the Chinese monopoly on the silk trade Justinian developed a “New Rome”--new churches, aqueducts, and roads—Hagia Sophia is an example of one of the great buildings. Said the dome was “suspended from Heaven”

Theodora, Bringer of Change Helped improve the lives of Byzantine women. Women could leave property with daughters as well as sons. Both Theodora and Justinian were Christian; They disagreed about religious practices, though.

The Christian Church Divides Disagreement about the use of icons, holy pictures of Jesus and the saints. Christian church split between Christians in Western Europe and Christians in the Eastern Europe in Split into two churches: the Roman Catholic based on Rome and the Eastern Orthodox based in Constantinople

The Muslim Empire The religion of Islam began with the teachings Muhammad. Muslims make their pilgrimmage to Mecca—the holy city of Islam The empire grew around the Middle East and into Northern Africa. Muslim merchants went into West Africa to teach the religion of Islam. The traders showed the West Africa traders how to use money instead of bartering. Also brought the Arabic language.

Europe in the Middle Ages The Middle Ages occurred between 500 AD to about 1500 AD.

Charlesmagne Builds an Empire Leader of the Franks—brought new life to the lands of a dying Roman Empire Conquered large parts of Italy, Germany, and central Europe Had close ties with the pope—crowned as “Emperor of the Romans” Had meetings called the “Fields of May” to educate his leaders Empire was attacked by the Muslims, Slavs, and Vikings—empire fell apart.

Mr. Charlesmagne

Life in the Middle Ages Most people lived in small villages which were part of a manor. Manor—large block of land made up of forests, meadows, farmland, the village, a church, and the castle of the noble. Peasants, or serfs, worked the land; could not own it The serf worked the land, while the noble, or vassal, protected the serf from attacks by enemies.

More about the Middle Ages Vassal was a servant to the king—had a written contract This system of trading protection for loyalty became known as the feudal system.

The Church and the Crusades During the Middle Ages, Europeans were united under the church of Rome. In 1095, Pope Urban II called on all Christians to help take over control of Jerusalem from the Seljuk Turks, who were Muslims. Crusaders fought battles with the Seljuk Turks over the Holy Land.

More about the Crusades Eight major crusades between 1095 and Even had a Children’s Crusade—children marched into battle Most of them died of hunger and never saw Jerusalem Crusaders could not gain control over Jerusalem again

Pictures of the Crusades

The Bubonic Plague During the Middle Ages, streets were full of garbage and people In the late 1340s, a deadly illiness called the bubonic plague hit many cities. Called “The Black Death” spread by the fleas on rats. More than 20 million people died—1/4 of the population of Europe at the time

Pictures of the Plague

The Magna Carta Known as the “Great Charter” Later became the basis of laws for everyone Gave people the right of trial by jury King must get consent before new taxes

More about the Magna Carta King John was kidnapped by these guys (the nobles) to sign the document How uncool! King had to follow his own laws!! Signed in 1215