1. Ancient Rome & The Origin of Christianity

2. The Eastern Orthodox Church
What was Byzantium?
Emperor Justinian
The Eastern Orthodox Church
What will we learn?

3. Byzantium: The New Rome
Setting the Stage
Due to Germanic Invasions, the Western Roman Empire had collapsed
For nearly 1,000 years after the collapse of the Western Empire, Byzantium in the east would continue to thrive and build upon its Roman foundations
Byzantium: The New Rome

4. Byzantium

5. Byzantium: The New Rome
Why was Byzantium called The New Rome?
Simple: it was Roman
Byzantium had Roman emperors, architecture, culture, and Christianity
Byzantine emperors ruled with absolute power- head of church as well
There were differences such as they spoke Greek instead of Latin

6. Byzantium: The New Rome
Why was Byzantium wealthier?
Byzantium was located in the middle of several trade routes that allowed it to prosper
Weren’t prone to the Germanic attacks like the Western Empire
Byzantium: The New Rome

7. Byzantium: The New Rome
Emperor Justinian
Takes control of the Byzantium in 527 AD
Set up the Justinian Code: uniform set of laws created from outdated Roman laws
The Justinian Code served as the legal basis for criminal justice, marriage, property, slavery, & women’s rights
The law code became one of the most important legacies of the Byzantine Empire & served as the basis for laws for the next 900 years
Built many churches including the Hagia Sophia, hailed as the most splendid church in Christian world
Plagues and attacks cause the Byzantine Empire to fall after death of Justinian

8. The Hagia Sophia

9. The Division of Christianity
Because of the distance & lack of contact between Byzantine Empire & Western Europe, Christianity developed differently
–All Christians based their faith on Jesus & the Bible
–But they had different practices to show their faith

10. The Division of christianity
Christians were organized the same way:
Archbishops & bishops oversaw regions where
Christianity was practiced
Priests led individual churches
But, Christians in the East & West
disagreed over leadership of
the Church

11. Divisions in christianity
Christians in Western Europe:
–Believed that there should be a Pope to oversee bishops & give authority to all Christians
–Christians in Western Europe accepted the authority of the Pope
Christians in Eastern Europe:
–Believed that the Byzantine Emperor had authority over issues involving Christianity
–Byzantine emperors relied on a Patriarch to oversee the church, but the emperor had final authority
–Christians in the Byzantine Empire did not accept the authority of the Pope
Divisions in christianity

12. Byzantium: The New Rome
Result: The Roman Empire dwindled into oblivion allowing the Middle Ages to begin. However, in the east Byzantium held on for a few more centuries, which resulted in a split in Christianity and eventually would set up a bigger conflict: Christianity vs. Islam.

13. Constructive Response Questions
Citing specific examples, what factors allowed Byzantium to prosper while the west floundered?
Constructive Response Questions