The document outlines the history of the Christian Empire from the rise of Christianity to the fall of Constantinople, addressing key events such as Diocletian's persecution, the Edict of Milan, and the establishment of Christianity as the state religion under Theodosius. It also details significant figures like Constantine, Julian the Apostate, and Justinian, along with central concepts such as heresy, orthodoxy, and the conflicts over icons in the Byzantine period. The text serves as a comprehensive overview of the political and religious transformations within the Roman and Byzantine empires.

1. The Christian Empire

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
PART II
The Triumph
of Christianity
The Clash
of Creeds
The “Byzantine”
Empire
(284-313)
(313-395)
(395?-1453)

3. The Triumph of Christianity

4. TERMS LIST
(All terms can be referenced online)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Diocletian
Tetrarchy
Great Persecution
Constantine
Battle of the
Milvian Bridge
6. Labarum [Chi Rho]
7. Edict of Milan

5. Diocletian
(r. 284-305)
• “Great Persecution”
• Tetrarchy [Next Slide]
Coin Photo by Ingsoc

6. Diocletian
(r. 284-305)
Coin Photo by Ingsoc

7. Tetrarchy
Map Credit: Coppermine Photo Gallery

8. Tetrar
chy
• What do you
see? What
do you think
these statues
represent?
Be specific.

9. Constantine vs.
Maxentius
Battle of the Milvian Bridge

10. “CONQUER BY THIS.”

11. Roman Coin:
Constantine Front /
Labarum Back
Compare to Julian

12. Toleration
• Edict of Milan (313
AD)
– Toleration for
Christians
– End of persecution

13. The Clash
of Creeds

14. TERMS LIST
(All terms can be referenced online)
1. Byzantium
2. Constantinople
3. Heresy
4. Arianism
5. Trinity
6. Council of Nicea
7. Creed
8. Orthodoxy
9. Julian the Apostate
10. Apostasy
Galileans
12. Natural Religion
13. Revealed Religion
14. School Edict [Julian]
15. Theodosius
16. State Religion
17. Thessalonica
Massacre
18. Ambrose of Milan
19. Excommunication
20.Penance

15. PRIMARY SOURCE:
Julian the Apostate,
Against the Galileans
Complete the following in the Bell Ringer section of your notebook:
1. Who was Julian referring to when he
wrote of the “Galileans”? Why would
he use this term?
2. What were Julian’s chief criticisms of
the “Galileans”?
3. How would you characterize Julian’s
own views of religion?

16. Constantinople

18. Council of Nicea
• Edict of Milan
• Toleration for all
religions (including
Christians)

19. Council of Nicea
• 325 A.D.
• Called by
Constantine
– Address Divisions
– Arianism
– Trinity
• Nicene Creed
• Orthodoxy

20. Death of Constantine
337 A.D.
Constantine accepted
Christian baptism on
his deathbed.
© Konstantin Tunc
Used with permission

21. PURGES
Constantine’s death resulted
in purges of possible heirs to
the throne.
Some rights reserved by Albion Europe ApS

22. Julian “the
Apostate”
• Against the Galileans
– Pamphlet against
Christianity
• School Edict
– Teachers approved by
gov
• “You have won,
Galilean!”
360-363

23. Roman Coin:
Julian Front /
Bull Back
Compare to Constantine

24. Theodosius
(r. 379-395)
• LAST sole ruler of a
united Roman Empire
– [East/West divide after
death]
• Christianity as the
OFFICIAL religion
• Closes Pagan temples –
sends home Vestal
Virgins

25. Massacre
in Thessalonica
Ambrose
(Bishop) of
Milan)
– PENANCE
Saint Ambrose and Emperor Theodosius, By Anthony van Dyck

26. THE “BYZANTINE”
EMPIRE

27. TERMS LIST
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fall of Rome [476]
Byzantine
Justinian
Theodora
Nika Riots
6. Corpus Juris Civilis
7. Hagia Sophia
12. Hellenization
13. Basileus
14. Theme System
15. Icons
16. Iconoclast
17. Iconodule
18. Irene
19. Seventh Ecumenical
Council
9. Belisarius
20. Fall of Constantinople
10. “Last of the Romans”
[1453]
8. Renovatio Imperii
11. Heraclius

28. 476 A.D.
Fall of rome

29. Justinian I
•
•
•
•
•
•
Renovatio Imperii
Belisarius
“Last of the Romans”
Corpus Juris Civilis
Hagia Sophia
Sainthood
(r. 527-565)

30. Renovatio Imperii
Map Credit: http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_07_149.gif

31. Theodora
Wife of Justinian
• Courtesan
• Street-smart
– A key advisor
• Also a saint

32. NikA Riots
• High Taxation
• Nika Riots
– Justinian
murdered 30,000
to restore order

33. Hagia Sophia
• “Holy Wisdom”
• Completed 537 A.D.
• 1453-1935: Mosque
• 1935-Present:
Museum
Online Resources:
Icon Slideshow
The Deesis Mosaic

36. Heraclius
(r. 610-641)
• Hellenization
– Docs: Latin  Greek
– Note: Still “Roman”
– Basileus [Title]
• Incessant Wars
– Sassanid Empire
• Theme System
– Civil and Military Gov Merged
• Contemporary of
Muhammad

37. Iconoclast controversy
(Eighth Century)
Iconodules
Icon Lovers
vs.
Iconoclasts
Icon Breakers

38. Iconodule
Adulation
(to adore or worship)

39. ICONOCLAST
In modern usage, someone who challenges
established dogmas or conventions
Some rights reserved by BitBoy

40. Chludov
Psalter
They gave me
Vinegar
to drink.

41. Iconodules win

42. The Contrast
St. George Greek Orthodox
Cathedral (Greenville, SC)
Iconoclast Art in the Hagia
Irene (Constantinople)
Click photo for an e-tour.

43. Interested
in Icons?
The Russian Orthodox
Cathedral of St. John
the Baptist
(Washington, DC) is
covered with them.
CLICK
for an e-tour

44. SEVENTH
ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL
(787 a.d.)
Restored
the use of icons

45. SEVENTH
ECUMENICAL
COUNCIL
(787 a.d.)
LAST Church
Council accepted
by both Eastern
and Western
Churches

46. Irene
The Empress,
Irene, who ruled in
her own right
after the deaths
of her sons, was
canonized as a
saint for her role
in restoring the
use of icons.
(r. 797-802)

47. Double Eagle
A Symbol of
the Byzantine
emperors
Symbolism:
Church and State
East and West

48. The Decline
An Animated Map
Map Credit: Varana

49. 1453
Fall of Constantinople
to the Ottoman Turks