Byzantium Civilization

Background Knowledge The split of the Christian Church developed two distant European civilizations. The Byzantine Empire is based in Eastern Orthodox traditions.

A Unique Culture Constantinople stood at the crossroads between Europe and Asia East traditions mixed with classical Roman and Greek ideas Unique cultural blend

A Unique Culture Constantinople was a city which combined Greek and Roman ideas with traditions of the East. - Crossroads between Asia and Europe

Preserving Roman Law Justinian’s Code 529 –O–Ordered a group of lawyers to organize the jumble of Roman local and imperial laws and judgments. –C–Considered harsh, but allowed women to inherit property –p–preserved the Roman legal tradition

Art and Architecture Typical Byzantine art is flat, formal and religious. Consist of icons and mosaics

Art and Architecture Hagia Sophia

Art and Architecture Traditional Roman architecture –Arches and domes Byzantine mosaics

Art and Architecture Dome is 185 feet high

Art and Architecture Dome is 185 feet high

Art and Architecture Mosaics were covered with plaster by the Ottoman Turks

Education and Literature Manuscripts - hand-written documents from Greece and Rome. –L–Libraries preserved Homer’s epics and Greek and Roman philosophies Government supported schools

Spread of Byzantine Culture The empires history was long and violent Despite frequent attacks from invaders and internal power struggles, Byzantine influence spread

The Lure of Constantinople Visitors to Constantinople were amazed by wealth of the city demonstrated through elaborate ceremonies jewels and clothing Merchants came for trade, scholars came to study, and artists came to work. As people worked, traded, and traveled, Byzantine ideas, religion, and culture spread throughout the region.

Missionary Work Missionary - person sent to other countries to spread their faith Cyril and Methodius –C–Cyrillic an alphabet that become the Slavs first written language The Eastern Orthodox church was adopted Slavic kingdoms, such as Russia, Serbia, and Moravia.

The Conversion of the Russians Eastern Orthodox missionaries travel north to Rus, what is now Russia and the Ukraine. Impressed by reports from officials sent to Constantinople, Prince Vladimir of Rus converts, or changes religions, to the Eastern Orthodox religion.

The End of the Byzantine Empire To the west, Germanic tribes regained lands conquered by Justinian The Persians threatened borders on the east, Arabs from the south, Slavs from the north

The End of the Byzantine Empire For centuries, Constantinople’s strong walls held off land attacks and Greek fire help stop threats from sea

The End of the Byzantine Empire The final blow was landed by the Turks gun powder –1,200 lb cannon balls break the city walls

The End of the Byzantine Empire In 1453, the city was finally and permanently conquered by the Ottoman Turks and renamed Istanbul. Byzantine culture, law, and administration came to its final end.