1. WHI: SOL 7a, b
Byzantine Empire

3. Location of Constantinople
Protection of the eastern frontier
Distance from Germanic invasions in the western empire
Crossroads of trade
Easily fortified site on a peninsula bordered by natural harbors

4. Role of Constantinople
Seat of the Byzantine Empire until Ottoman conquest
Preserved classical Greco-Roman culture
Center of trade

5. On your map: Use textbook pg. 286 Africa Mediterranean Sea Asia
Sea of Marmara
Aegean Sea
Black Sea
Caspian Sea
Africa
Asia
Europe
Constantinople (city)
Rome (city)
Asia Minor
Greece
Balkan Peninsula

8. On your white board:
If you traveled from Rome to Constantinople, in what cardinal direction would you travel?
What body of water separates Constantinople from Asia?
What seas are connected by the Hellespont (Dardanelles)?
What ruler was responsible for the expansion of the Byzantine Empire?

9. Byzantine Emperor Justinian
Ruled from 527 a.d. to 565 a.d.
Codification of Roman law (had an impact on modern European legal codes)
Justinian’s Law
Reconquered former Roman territories (General Belisarius)
Expansion of trade
Rebuilt Constantinople after riots and a fire
Co-ruled with his wife Theodora
Strong military tactics (Greek fire)

11. Contributions to Law
Justinian best known for his codification of Greek and Roman laws – “Justinian Code”
Six years dedicated to simplifying 1600 books and tens of thousands of Greek and Roman laws into just four sections and 4,000 laws.

12. Justinians Military Conquests
Justinian dreamed of reuniting the former territory of the Roman Empire
Was almost constantly at war with neighboring civilizations and smaller tribes to overtake old Roman land
With new tactics and weapons (like Greek Fire) the Byzantine territory grew to Spain, Africa and Italy

13. The Lasting Legacy of Justinian
Married an actress (in a scandal that involved his rewriting of the marriage laws) named Theodora shortly before becoming Emperor
Theodora was bright and influential in her husbands rule – by encouraging him, offering him advice and even helping to subdue dissent amongst the citizens

14. Laws about Justinian Code American Laws Women’s Rights Robbery
All women can own property, make contracts and will, and bring a lawsuit.
All women can own property, make contracts and wills, bring a lawsuit - the same rights as men.
Robbery
Robbery was not a crime. The victim could sue the robber for up to four times the values of the stolen property.
Robbery is a crime and is punishable by a fine and/ or a prison sentence.
Failure to pay debts
People owed something had to sue the person owing them to gain debt back.
Murder
Murder was punished by banishment
Murder is punished by a prison sentence or death.
Inheritance
Women could not inherit property from their husbands unless it was provided in a will. Children received equal amounts of the father’s estate.
Standard law allows wives and children to divide an estate. Other directions can be provided for in a will.

17. On your map:
Shade in the Byzantine Empire as it was at different points in history:
Byzantine Empire in 565 A.D. (C.E.) (under Justinian)
Byzantine Empire in 1000 A.D. (C.E.)