The Byzantine Empire… The Eastern half of the Roman Empire As the Roman Empire continued to grow in size, it became increasingly more difficult to control. In 284 AD Emperor Diocletian ( ) came to the throne after a century of disorganization, internal dissent, economic collapse, and foreign invasions.

It wasn ’ t long after he took control that in 285 AD he decided that the Empire was too large to be administered by a single ruler, so he divided it into two halves. The Empires would be ruled by co-Emperors with the capital of the western half centered in Rome, while the eastern half would be ruled from the city of Byzantium. Diocletian

The dividing line was chosen because most territories to the west of the line spoke Latin and followed traditional Roman culture, while the territories to the east spoke Greek and maintained less traditional Roman ways.

The location of Byzantium on the water between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea made it a powerful trading force in the east.

When the western area was overrun by Barbarian tribes in 395 AD, the Empire was officially divided. As a result, power shifted to the east and the Byzantine side remained strong for hundreds of years.

The empire benefited from the high level of civilization in the former Hellenistic (Greek) world and from the region ’ s prosperous trade. In the 4 th c. Emperor Constantine renamed the city of Byzantium to Constantinople Constantinople – Capital of the Byzantine Empire

Constantinople- “ The Second Rome ” Key trading route linking Europe, Africa and Asia Buffer between Western Europe and Asia

Emperor Justinian In 527, the Byzantine emperor Justinian set out to regain control of Italy and restore the old Roman Empire. Through war and conquest, Justinian added most of Italy, northern Africa, and Persia to the Byzantine Empire.

Empress Theodora Theodora was the wife of Justinian I who was crowned Emperor of the Byzantine Empire in 527 AD. As his wife, she ruled by his side, as his partner. Her intelligence helped to advance the Empire.

Justinian Achievements Hagia Sophia Hippodrome

Justinian Achievements Justinian Code Made Roman law the basis for political and economic law throughout the countries of Europe.

Orthodox Christianity in the East Although it was based on the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire had developed a culture of its own. There were many differences between the west and the east. The feeling of division from Rome grew worse when one Byzantine emperor banned the use of icons. Icons are religious images, statues and symbols used in worship. The pope (in the West) supported the use of icons and even ordered the excommunication of the Byzantine emperor. The pope said the emperor could no longer be a member of the Church.

Orthodox Christianity in the East Slowly, the Eastern and Roman churches grew apart. In 1054, the schism, or split, became permanent. In the East, religion was called Orthodox Christianity.

The final break between the two churches occurred in Even the architecture of their churches are different. Roman Catholic Churches Orthodox Churches

Importance of the Byzantine Empire Preserved classic works of ancient Greece & Western Rome (learning) including Christianity Created Orthodox Christian religion Justinian ’ s code of laws