1. The Byzantine Empire

2. The Roman empire, divided in the late AD200’s, was weakened by internal and external forces. Power shifted to the east, as Germanic invaders weakened the western half of the once great Roman empire.

3. By 330, the emperor Constantine, had built a new capital city in Constantinople on the site of the Greek city Byzantium. The Byzantine empire arose from this site.

4. At its height, the Byzantine empire covered an area from Rome through southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, down to Egypt and across North Africa.

5. The city of Constantinople, was on a peninsula overlooking the Bosporus, a strait connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. From its central location, the city controlled key trade routes that liked Europe and Asia.

6. The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian
The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian. Justinian was a autocratic ruler, or single ruler with complete authority.

7. Emperor Justinian became known for his collection of ancient laws known as Justinian’s Code. This written set of laws became the basis today’s international laws.

8. In the area of architecture, Justinian blended Greek, Roman, Persian and Middle Eastern styles. The best known structure is the Church of Hagia Sophia whose name means “Holy Wisdom”

12. In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great contributions
In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great contributions. Icons were images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and others. These icons were supposed to create the sense that the holy person was actually present.

14. Byzantine artists also developed Mosaics, pictures or designs formed by inlaid pieces of stone or other materials. Mosaics often displayed religious themes.

17. In 1054, permanent split or schism occurred between the Orthodox Christian Church in the East and the Roman Catholic Church in the West.

18. The decline of the Byzantine empire came with the onset of invading armies. The final blow came at the hands of the Ottoman empire in 1453.

19. The Byzantine empire hoped to preserve Greek and Roman culture and also strongly influenced the first Russian state. As Russia traded with the Byzantine empire, the Byzantines influenced both Russian and eastern European development.

20. The Byzantines gave Russia a written language
The Byzantines gave Russia a written language. Two Byzantine missionaries adapted the Greek alphabet. This new system, called the Cyrillic alphabet is still used in Russia today.

21. Byzantine missionaries carried Orthodox Christianity to Russia and other Eastern European nations.

22. Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler
Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler. Autocratic rulers in Russia were known as czars. Czar is the Russian word for Caesar.

23. The Byzantine empire had its influence in the development of history
The Byzantine empire had its influence in the development of history. Emerging out of the once strong Roman empire, the Byzantines develop a written set of law and strongly influence art and architecture of the time.
The Byzantine empire preserved the Greek, Roman and Persian achievements as well as influencing the development of Russia and Eastern Europe.

24. Periodization Early Middle Ages Or Dark Ages : 500 – 1000
High Middle Ages: – 1250
Late Middle Ages:

25. The Germanic Kingdoms When last we were in Europe…
Western Roman Empire was collapsing
476 A.D. – last Western emperor was deposed
Germanic tribes had spread throughout the old territory of the Empire
Byzantine Empire was thriving
Christianity was well established
What does this mean?
population shifts to rural areas
unifying factors of the empire start to diminish
decline of literacy

26. The Germanic Kingdoms

27. The Geography of Europe
Europe is a continent.
a peninsula made up of smaller peninsulas
within 300 miles of the sea
mountains and rivers – encouraged trade, provided safety, and separated cultures
rivers – Rhine, Danube, Vistula, Volga, Seine, etc.
mountains – Alps, Carpathians, etc.

28. Europe in the 6th Century

29. Who Were the Franks?
c. A.D. 400 – the Franks settled modern day France
Clovis – Frankish king who became a Catholic
breakdown of royal duties – mayors of the palace

30. Who Were the Franks?
Charles Martel – famous mayor of the palace who wanted to reunite Europe
A.D. 732 – defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours
Pepin the Short – became king of the Franks (with help); defended the pope against the Lombards (Papal States)

31. Who Was Charlemagne? Charlemagne – Charles the Great
defended pope, again
defeated the Saxons in Germany and converted them
regained parts of Spain from the Muslims
Christmas Day, A.D. 800 – Pope Leo III crowned him Roman Emperor
Already was a “Roman Emporer” in Constantinople
Charlemagne was a Frank
Divided Christianity

32. Charlemagne: 742 to 814

33. Charlemagne’s Empire

34. Who Was Charlemagne? He was the grandson of Charles Martel
leadership style
set up courts
sent out “the lord’s messengers”
strong belief in education (perhaps because of his own shortcomings)
focus on religion, music, literature, arithmetic, Latin

35. Pope Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800

36. Who Was Charlemagne? Charlemagne’s impact
united a large portion of Europe
defended Christianity and the Church
spread Christianity
supported education
empire disintegrated after his death

37. Europe Is Invaded While Charlemagne’s Grandsons Divide His Empire
Europe after the Treaty of Verdun, 843 A.D.

38. Europe Is Invaded A.D. 800s and 900s were not good times…
Magyars
Muslims
Vikings
Vikings, a.k.a. Norsemen (“north men”)
Scandinavia
top-notch sailors courtesy of their longboats
feared raiders

39. Europe Is Invaded Vikings Why raid?
geography - fjords – steep sided valleys that are inlets of the sea
part of the Norse mythology culture – “Valhalla”
known for their ferocity and violence
Normandy

40. Viking Raids Sailing Skills First Targets Little Time
Vikings superb ship builders, sailors
Ships capable of withstanding heavy ocean waves; crews as many as 100
Skills at navigation allowed crossing great expanses of ocean
First Targets
First targets of raids were eastward toward modern day Russia, but there was little wealth there
Secondary targets became England, northern France, then even Paris
Little Time
People lived in fear, had no warning that Vikings were coming
Fast-moving ships approached target quickly
Vikings killed, captured defenders; took what they could find, sailed away

42. Europe Is Invaded

43. Favorite Targets Viking Settlements
Among favorite Viking targets, monasteries
Monks not warriors, monasteries easy to plunder
Fine treasures, jeweled crosses, golden candlesticks stolen
Vikings not Christians, had no problems stealing religious items
Viking Settlements
Not all Vikings who left Scandinavia raiders, some explorers
One place settled by Vikings, Iceland; first arrived late 700s
Viking society thrived there for centuries, longer than in Europe
982, Viking explorers reached Greenland
100 years later, Leif Eriksson reached North America

45. Viking warriors also settled in northern France
Normandy
Viking warriors also settled in northern France
Led by chief named Rollo, attacked France many times
King of France made deal with Rollo
Rollo to stop raids, defend Frankish lands against other Vikings
King to give Rollo land
Rollo accepted, area became known as Normandy, land of Northmen

46. The Magyars Nomads Raids
Vikings terrorized northern, western Europe; Magyars invaded from east
Magyars nomads from central Asia who settled in what is now Hungary
Fierce warriors
Not sailors, skilled riders who outmaneuvered opponents on horseback
Planned raids carefully, attacking smaller settlements
Nomads
Raided eastern France, Germany, northern Italy, western Byzantine Empire
Eventually gave up nomadic ways, but lost battle advantage of running from opposing armies
Mid-900s, German king Otto the Great crushed Magyar army, ending raids
Raids

47. Assessment
Summarize In what ways did Justinian contribute to the flourishing of the Byzantine empire after the decline of Rome?
Identify What was the impact of political and legal ideas contained in Justinian's Code?
Explain What impact did the fall of Rome have on Western Europe?
Describe How did Germanic tribes carve Europe into small kingdoms?
Explain How did Charlemagne briefly reunite much of Western Europe, and what happened to his empire after his death?