The Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire Rises After the Western part of the Roman Empire fell, the Eastern part became known as the Byzantine Empire.

Justinian’s Achievements Justinian Code – single, uniform code of law (came from Roman law). Public building program Baths Aqueducts Courts Schools Hospitals Church building Hagia Sophia

Preservation of Greco-Roman Culture! Education was valued Greek & Latin grammar & philosophy Geometry (Euclid) Poetry (Homer) Medicine Preserved many documents from ancient Greece & Rome.

Division of Christian Church Christianity was developing differently in the East & West Schism – Split in the Church Disagreements over church hierarchy, how services are conducted, etc.

Comparing 2 Christian Churches Eastern Orthodox Services in Greek/local lang. Bishops head Church as a group Emperor has authority over bishops Divorce allowed Similarities Faith based on gospel of Jesus & Bible Sacraments such as baptism Religious leaders are priests/bishops Try to convert people Roman Catholic Services in Latin Pope has authority over bishops, kings & emperors Priests cannot marry Divorce not allowed

Cultural Diffusion to Russia The two Christian Churches tried to convert as many people as possible Missionaries from the Orthodox Church took their religion to the Slavs Two missionaries, Cyril & Methodius, invented an alphabet for the Slavic languages, so they could read the Bible in their own language. Named after Cyril – Cyrillic alphabet Slavic culture heavily influenced Russia

Fall of the Empire Plague spread & killed many Justinian died in 565 Attacks from East & West