1. Byzantine Culture ~ The Preservation of Greco-Roman Heritage Change (∆) & Revolution Spring Semester Mrs. Huff

2. Overview of Today’s Presentation Introduction ~ Role of the Cyrillic Alphabet Art Architecture Spices Roman Law Causes of the Decline of the Byzantine Empire

3. Introduction ~ The Cyrillic Alphabet Due to the location of Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire frequently had contact with its neighbors to the north and east. The people that lived there in central and eastern Europe were Slavic and did not have a written language. Two brothers, Cyril and Methodius, were missionaries that taught the Slavs to read and write by creating a new, “Cyrillic” alphabet. Cyrillic remains the foundation for the modern Russian alphabet.

4. Cyril & Methodius traveling to central and eastern Europe to spread the Christian word and teach the Slavs to read and write was an example of cultural diffusion. What aspects of Greco-Roman culture do you see in the Cyrillic alphabet? Modern Russian

5. Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cyril & Methodius converted many Slavs to Christianity. Descendents of these converts still follow the Eastern Orthodox faith. Cyril & Methodius are recognized as saints today both by the Roman Catholic Church as well as the Eastern Orthodox Church.

6. Byzantine Art Byzantine art was completely devoted to religion. Religious murals covered the walls and ceilings of churches, while mosaics covered the floors, walls and arches.

7. The location of a person’s image indicated that person’s importance in church doctrine.  Jesus always occupied the dome of the church Paintings and mosaics were used to create icons, or holy pictures that Byzantines revered. Byzantine art was a reaction to Greek art. Meaning, Byzantine art was not very realistic. It was stiff or artificial.  This is because their goal was not to demonstrate realism, rather to inspire reverence and to emphasize the importance of renouncing pleasure in this life to prepare for the afterlife.

8. Hagia Sophia ~ Church of “Holy Wisdom” Byzantines excelled in religious architecture. The best example of this is Hagia Sophia located in Constantinople. Ordered to be built in 532 by Justinian. Included an interior that glittered from the sunlight, murals, mosaics and extensive metalworking. A golden altar was inlaid with precious stones.

9. Interior of Hagia Sophia A huge dome (diameter 108’) dominates the structure. Columns instead of walls support the dome, giving it a massive open feeling. This marked the first time that a round dome was placed on a rectangular building.

10. Hagia Sophia Today When Constantinople was captured by the Turks in 1453 Hagia Sophia became a mosque (Muslim house of worship). Today it is owned by the state and is operated as a museum.

11. Ark of the Covenant

12. Constantine

13. Jonah Swallowed and Jonah Cast Up, 3rd century, Early Christian

14. loculi

15. Good Shepard, Orants, Story of Jonah, 4th Century, Early Christian

16. Orants

17. Detail – Christ Giving the Law

18. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

19. Early Christian House-Church

20. Byzantine Periods Early Byzantine Period – associated with Justinian I Middle Byzantine Period – worship of icons accepted again Late Byzantine Period – 1261-1453

21. Late Byzantine Art 1261-1453 New style in art – church liturgy important Use of trompe l’oeil in the churches

22. David the Psalmist, Paris Psalter, 10 th century, Byzantine

23. Emperor Justinian and his wife Empress Theodora

24. Early Jewish Art

25. Council of Nicaea

26. Preservation of Roman Law One of the Byzantine’s greatest contributions to civilization was the preservation of Roman law. Justinian had ordered his scholars to collect and organize all of the laws of the Roman Empire.

27. Justinian’s Code of Laws Justinian’s Code of Laws has four parts: TThe entire collection is called the Corpus Juris Civilis 1 ~ The Code 2 ~ The Digest 3 ~ The Institutes 4 ~ The Novels

28. Spices Throughout the years spices have played an important role in many important societies. Black pepper was first grown on the western coast of India and was brought to Europe by trades who passed through the markets of Constantinople. Some rulers collect pepper as tribute, while other societies actually used pepper as money. By the 1400s spices from the East were in great demand in Europe, thus bringing greater numbers of people through Constantinople.

29. Decline of the Empire During the 1000s, the Saljuq Turks from Central Asia captured most of Asia Minor. In 1096, Constantinople appealed for help from the West, but in 1204 the Crusaders turned on the Byzantines and captured Constantinople. The westerners ruled for about 50 years. The Byzantine Empire again existed but was no longer powerful.

30. The Ottoman Turks During the 1300s the Ottoman Turks rose to power in the region and by 1453 were able to conquer the city of Constantinople. The Ottoman Turks effectively ruled the region of Asia Minor from 1453 until their collapse following World War I in 1919.