Chapter 13 New Empires

The Byzantine Empire Justinian and Theodora were two of the rulers of the Byzantine Empire (During Justinian’s rule it grew to its greatest size) Justinian had a code of laws created-these laws were based on old Roman laws (just easier to understand) Theodora influenced many of the laws created by Justinian (laws relating to women and the poor)

Justinian and Theodora Justinian ended China’s silk monopoly He encouraged and welcomed traders into Constantinople Money from trade was used to create buildings, roads, bridges, and aqueducts throughout the city Theodora met with envoys to meet with leaders of other governments She also took part in choosing government leaders (based on a persons ability not social class)

The Division of the Church People of the Byzantine Empire were primarily Christians Justinian wanted all people to follow orthodox, or officially accepted, Christianity An argument within Christianity centered around the use of icons Some Christians liked to look at these idols as they prayed, others said this went against the Ten Commandments The Christian Church in the Byzantine Empire became Orthodox while the Church in western Europe became Roman Catholic

Constantinople Constantinople was good place to be the capital because it was easy to protect and it was a great location for trade Like in Rome, public entertainment was important to the people of Constantinople Constantinople, like Rome, had public bath houses, porticos, The Hippodrome, and large places of worship (Hagia Sophia)

The Rise of Islam Islam began on the Arabian Peninsula Muhammad, a respected trader, was unhappy about his tribes idol worship (at the Kaaba) According to Muhammad, the Angel Gabriel told him he would become a messenger to humankind The messages he received over the next 23 years became the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam)

The Rise of Islam As Islam spread, leaders of the Arab tribes became nervous that people would stop worshipping at the Kaaba Muhammad and his followers left Mecca and moved to the city of Medina in A.D. 622 In A.D. 630 the Muslims captured the city of Mecca and Muhammad destroyed the idols in the Kaaba The Kaaba was then dedicated to the worship of only Allah The Islamic religion is based on five acts or Worship known as the Five Pillars Testify or say that there is no god but God, and Muhammad is God’s prophet Make five prayers at specific times each day Give part of one’s earning to take care of the needy Fast from dawn to sunset during Ramadan Make a hajj, or religious visit, to Mecca

Muslim Achievements The Muslim Empire united people of many cultures Education was very important Women could own, buy, and sell property and get an education Made advances in health care and started teaching hospitals Traded with outside empires and learned to make paper from the Chinese Borrowed a system of numbers made up of nine digits and a zero (from India) Created beautiful works of art and architecture Used elements of Persian and Indian music to form their own style of music

The Mongol Empire Mongols were nomads who lived in small clans Fighting often broke out over grazing lands, water, and firewood Genghis Khan captured the capital of China and then pushed into Muslim lands The Mongols eventually pushed into Europe (Russia, Poland, and Hungary) The Mongols made surprise attacks and learned to make quick strikes in large numbers The Mongol army was made up completely of a cavalry The Mongols had created the largest empire ever known

The Rule of Kublai Khan The Grand Canal was made longer Roads were repaired A mail service was created The Mongol Empire was made larger and more peaceful Established trade networks with Europe and northern Africa The Mongols began to take on Chinese ways and claimed the Mandate of Heaven in 1271

Marco Polo Polo was from Venice Italy and when he was 17 he set out for the lands of Kublai Khan Polo reached Asia after four years and were guests of Khan He was sent by Khan to explore and report on distant parts of the empire Polo wrote a book describing Asia (this interested Europeans in trade between Europe and Asia)