1. The Byzantine Empire The Golden Horn
330 AD – 1453 AD

2. Introduction:
In our last unit, you learned how the emperor Constantine moved his capital from Rome to the ancient city of Byzantium in 33o C.E. This city eventually became known as Constantinople.
After Constantine’s reign, power was usually divided between two emperors. One was based in Rome, and one in Constantinople.
After the fall of Rome, the eastern half of the empire continued for another 1,000 years. Today we call this eastern empire the Byzantine Empire, after Byzantium, the original name of its capital city.
This great empire straddled two continents, Europe and Asia. It lasted from about 500 to 1453 C.E. when it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks.
East and west did remain connected for a time through a shared Christian faith. BUT the church in the east developed in its own unique way. It became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Over time, Byzantine emperors and church officials came into conflict with the pope in Rome.
The conflict led to a permanent split, or schism, between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
In this assignment, you will learn about the Byzantine Empire, one of its greatest emperors, and its distinctive church.

3. Remember Constantine
Emperor Constantine takes power of the Roman Empire in the year 312 AD. He took two steps that changed the course of European History
Step 1 – Granted tolerance to Christians
Step 2 – Built new Capital (Constantinople)

5. Constantinople and Rome were on different ends of the falling Roman Empire
Germanic invaders pounded the Roman Empire in the West
Constantinople was not being invaded and was thriving as a trade center
One would crumble, one would thrive

6. Life After the “Fall” of Rome
Byzantine Empire
Western Europe
The “new Rome”
Symbol of Roman Civilization
Byzantine Empire: Greek, Roman, and Christian influences
Change from one way of life to another
Society goes backwards
Trade ends and back to farming
Cities not important
VS.

7. Language and Location Western Europe Byzantine Empire
Latin and German languages
LOCATION
Western Europe, central Italy along the Tiber River
Language: Greek
LOCATION
Shores of the Bosporus Strait – Commanded key trade routes, busiest marketplace, linked Europe to Asia
Eastern Europe is home to many different traditions.
What does this cause?
VS.

8. Sunset on the “Golden Horn”

9. Religion: The Schism of 1054
*Schism (Def: permanent split)! In 1054, a feud with the Roman Pope over holy images. The Byzantine church outlawed praying to images = Pope excommunicated Byzantine Emperor. This is called the Schism of 1054.
Resulted in TWO Christian Churches:
Eastern (Greek) Orthodox in Byzantine Empire
Roman Catholic in Western Europe

10. Characteristics of the two churches
Western Europe
Byzantine Empire
Roman Catholic Church
Christianity
Church is the most powerful – Papal Supremacy
Priests cannot marry
Christmas most important holiday
Latin services
Eastern Orthodox Church
Christianity
Emperor ruled over church
Rejected Pope’s authority
Easter most important holiday
Priests could marry

11. Leaders after 476 AD Byzantine Empire Western Europe
Strongest ruler: Justinian – determined to revive classical Rome
Absolute power along with wife Theodora
Weak rulers after Justinian died, but empire was able to thrive because of Justinian's laws and economy
No significant strong leaders other than the Pope
Power moved to Germany
1st “leader” was Charlemagne (800 AD)

12. Emperor Justinian [r. 527-564]
Empress Theodora

13. Justinian’s Empire at its Peak

14. Justinian’s lasting achievements
Reconquered western provinces (North Africa, Italy, and Spain)
Beautified Constantinople
Justinian’s Code: Collected and revised ancient Roman laws (most important)

15. Law and Order Byzantine Empire Western Europe
Trulson
Law and Order
Byzantine Empire
Western Europe
Justinian’s Code – “Body of civil law”
Laws passed by Roman assemblies, emperors, or judges
Passed to western Europe by 100 AD- used by Medieval monarchs and churches
Used in international law today
Legal system evolved into “might is right”
Strongest wins (Bully System)
Laws of Rome forgotten
Feudal society

16. Learning Byzantine Empire Western Europe Studies emphasized:
Hellenistic Culture
Greek Philosophy
Roman Law
Christian influences
Learning was not important
Church (not education) guided people

17. Major architectural legacy after 476 AD
Byzantine Empire
Western Europe
Restore Roman glory
Large domes
Marble
Mosaic
Example: Hagia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom), later a mosque, now a museum
Return to farms
Cities not important

18. Constantinople Nicknamed the “New Rome”
Location made it Europe’s busiest market place
Major architectural achievements:
Hippodrome
Arena built in 200’s for entertainment
Hagia Sophia “Holy Wisdom”
Built during Justinian Age
Largest cathedral for 1000 yrs
Cathedral/Mosque/Museum

20. Constantinople (Istanbul Today)