Bell Ringer (Roughly) Where was the Eastern Roman Empire? Why did the Roman Empire split in two?

Bell Ringer Who was Justinian? What did he do? What Does excommunicate mean? What does iconoclasm mean?

CH. 6: Byzantine Empire

Constantine the Great Roman Emperor from 306-337AD Constantine was considered a good emperor who sought to greatly improve Rome He created a new gold coin to fight inflation He restructured the Government He changed the Military to be more mobile to fight barbarian invasion He would win a great victory at Malvina Bridge, and on his death bed would convert to Christianity "in hoc signo vinces“, Chi Rho This gave him full control of the Eastern Half of the Roman Empire He issued the Edict of Milan which called for the toleration of Christianity in the Roman Empire Constantine the Great

Battle of Malvina Bridge

Creation The Byzantine Empire was created by the Roman Emperor Constantine. The Roman Empire was split into two because it was believed to large to rule. The Byzantine Empire was seen as “New Rome”

This “New Rome” was to be built on the foundation of the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium While the (Western) Roman Empire is believed to have collapsed around 476, the Byzantine Empire will last another 1,000 years Because of the time when it is founded many Byzantines identified themselves as Romans and Christians, but most spoke Greek not Latin

Why Choose Here? The Capital will be renamed Constantinople after Constantine. Byzantium/Constantinople/Istanbul The City has water on 3 sides making it easily defensible. Giant chains were placed in the harbor to prevent unwanted ships from entering. It is located geographically between east and west Had a multiethnic feel, sewer system, hospitals, orphanages, and elderly homes

Justinian I Justinian will be ruler during a riot. He will lead the army against them at the urging of his wife, and 30,000 citizens are killed. With a portion of the City being destroyed Justinian saw the opportunity to rebuild.

Latin Writing

Justinian will build new roads, bridges, baths, parks, roads, hospitals, etc. One of the finest works, the Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) still exists today.

Justinian Code Justinian will also be known for other reasons. Due to its geographic location Constantinople had a variety of laws. Justinian had a group of scholars remove repeated laws, improve bad laws, add new laws. This would be known as the Justinian Code, and Western Societies are based from it.

The church of the Byzantine Empire will be the Eastern Orthodox Church (starts as part of the Roman Church) Orthodox means “agreement in right belief.” This references the fact that the church believes its teachings go back to the message from Jesus and the early Bishops. The Emperor will be the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church making them extremely powerful. Church

Church Structure Top: Emperor Patriarch: Picked by Emperor, #2 in terms of religious matters. Bishops & Priests Priests could marry, but Bishops could only be selected from unmarried Priests.

The Church will be very similar to the Catholic Church. They will pay special attention to Saint Basil (helped reform the mass) and Saint Cyril (created Cyrillic Alphabet) Pantocrator: Found in All E.O.C. Means “creator of all”

Cyrillic Alphabet

Icons Icons: art work depicting Saints and Jesus

Emperor Leo III will see the prayer and worship of Icons as offensive to God. He will order icons smashed (Iconoclasm) Pope Gregory III will take offense to this, especially when it happens in Italy Leo will revoke the Iconoclasm, but Gregory no long trust the Byzantine Empire Iconoclasm

Holy Roman Empire Pope Gregory III, no longer seeing the Byzantine Empire as a reliable ally will look for new support. He will find Charlemagne, King of the Franks He will support Charlemagne in the creation of the Holy Roman empire, the Church’s new defender

1054 In an effort to reassert Byzantine control, all Catholic churches will be closed in the Byzantine Empire. The Pope will excommunicate the Patriarch of Constantinople, which will cause the patriarch to excommunicate the Pope (he can’t) The two churches will be split until 1964