1. Chapter 13
New Empires

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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)