The document provides background information on the Byzantine Empire. It describes the empire's capital of Constantinople and its strategic location that contributed to its success. It discusses Emperor Justinian I's expansions of the empire and his codification of Roman law. The document also examines the empire's decline due to invasions and the Great Schism between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

1. Prepared by Mary Jane c. Magallano

3. Describe the culture and history of the Byzantine Empire;
To recognize why the location for Constantinople was key to it’s success;
and,
Examine the causes and effects of the decline of the Byzantine Empire.
OBJECTIVES

4. TERMS and PEOPLE
CONSTANTINOPLE- formerly Byzantium; capital of the eastern Roman Empire
JUSTINIAN- emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 567, he rebuilt
Constantinople and made reforms to the law
JUSTINIAN’S CODE- the Corpus Juris Civilis, or “Body of Civil Law”; a comprehensive
collection of Roman legal writings assembled by Justinian
Mosaics- pictures made from many bits of colored glass or stone.

5. GREAT SCHISM- the officials split between the Roman Catholic and Byzantine churches
THEODORA- empress of the Byzantine Empire, Justinian’s wife, and a fearless and powerful co-
ruler
PATRIARCH- in the Byzantine and Roman empires, the highest church official in a major city
Regent- a person who stands in for a ruler who is too young or too ill to govern.
TERMS and PEOPLE (continued)

6. In 610AD, the Eastern Roman Empire
officially became known as the Byzantine
empire.
The Eastern Roman, of Byzantine, Empire reached a high
point in the A.D. 500s. At this time, the empire stretched
west to Italy, south to Egypt, and east to the border with
Arabia.
Greeks made up the empire’s largest group, but many other
peoples were found within the empire. They included
Egyptians, Syrians, Arabs, Armenians, Jews, Persians,
Slaves, and Turks.

7. Influence of Greek Culture
The Byzantines first followed Roman ways. Byzantine political and social life also were based on
that of Rome. Emperors spoke Latin and enforced Roman laws. The empire’s poor people
received free bread and shows. Wealthy people lived in town or on large farming states. In fact,
many of them had once lived in Rome.
b
As time passed by, the Byzantine Empire became less Roman and more Greek. Most
Byzantines spoke Greek and honored their Greek past. Byzantine emperors and officials
began to speak Greek too. The ideas of non-Greek peoples, like the Egyptians and
Slavs, also shaped Byzantine life. All of these cultures blended together to form the
Byzantine civilization. Between A.D. 500 and
A.D. 1200, the Byzantines had one of the
world’s richest and most advanced empires.

8. The capital city was Constantinople
One reason of Constantinople’s success was
it’s location. It lay on the waterways between
the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. Its harbors
offered a safe shelter for fishing boat, grading
ships, and warships.
Constantinople also
sat at the crossroads
of trade routes
between Europe and
Asia. The trade
passed through
made the city
extremely wealthy.

9. EMPEROR JUSTINIAN I
Justinian was the greatest Byzantine emperor.
He hope his empire would be as great as ancient Rome.
Justinian wanted to recover the lands lost to the invaders and
reconstitute the Roman Empire.
Justinian was able to take back much, but not all, the territory
that had once belonged to Rome.

10. Justinian was an autocrat
(sole ruler with absolute power)
He ruled with absolute power over both the church and
state. The emperor controlled the church and was seen
as Christ’s co-ruler on earth.
EMPEROR JUSTINIAN I

12. He ordered a group of legal scholars headed by Tribonian to
reform the law code.
One famous Byzantine Emperor was Justinian I. Justinian ruled
from AD 527 to 565. Justinian created a set of laws called the
Justinian Code. This code said that the emperor made all of the
laws and interpreted the laws as well. The Justinian Code was
law throughout the empire.
Justinian was the greatest Byzantine emperor.
EMPEROR JUSTINIAN I
He hope his empire would be as great as ancient Rome.
These men were able to create the Justinian Code with just over
4,000 laws. The laws were recorded in four books. Many of the
laws in Justinian’s Code reflect the point of view of his wife,
Theodora.

13. Under the direction of Tribonian, the Corpus Iurus Civilis [Body of Civil Law] was issued in
three parts, in Latin, at the order of the Emperor Justinian.
The Codex Justinianus (529) compiled all of the extant (in Justinian's time) imperial
constitutiones from the time of Hadrian. It used both the Codex Theodosianus and private
collections such as the Codex Gregorianus and Codex Hermogenianus.
The Digest, or Pandects, was issued in 533, and was a greater achievement: it compiled the
writings of the great Roman jurists such as Ulpian along with current edicts. It constituted
both the current law of the time, and a turning point in Roman Law: from then on the
sometimes contradictory case law of the past was subsumed into an ordered legal system.
The Institutes was intended as sort of legal textbook for law schools and included extracts
from the two major works. Later, Justinian issued a number of other laws, mostly in Greek,
which were called Novels.
EMPEROR JUSTINIAN I

15. Justinian also launched a massive building
program in Constantinople.
During his time, he built massive walls to
protect the city.
These walls helped protect the city from
attack for over 1,000 years.
He also had many bridges, aqueducts and
churches built.
JUSTINIAN THE BUILDER

16. JUSTINIAN THE BUILDER
The greatest building achievement was the church of the Hagia Sophia meaning “Holy Wisdom” in Greek.
The Hagia Sophia was the center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and was the largest cathedral in the
world for nearly 1,000 years.

17. JUSTINIAN THE BUILDER
Throughout the Byzantine period, the Hippodrome was the center of the city’s sporting social life.
Horses and chariot racing was a popular pastime of the ancient world.
The word Hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos (horse) and dromos (path).

18. The Hippodrome sat over 100,000 spectators. It was said to have been elaborately
decorated with works of arts and tapestries. It also featured glorious bronzed statues of
horses gods and former emperors.

19. Constantinople’s Hectic Pace
City becomes trading hub with major marketplace
Giant Hippodrome offers chariot races and other entertainment
Racing fans start riots in 532; government restores order violently
Empress Theodora powerful wife and adviser to Justinian

20. Theodora began life in the lower class of Byzantine society but rose to the
rank of empress. The historian Procopius recorded the events of her early
life. According to Procopius, Theodora’s father worked a bear keeper at the
Hippodrome. After his death, Theodora followed her mother’s advice and
became and actress. It was a job of lower class, like pool spinning, which
was Theodora’s job.
Justinian considered Theodora his intellectual equal. In his writings,
Justinian said he asked for Theodora’s advice on laws and policies. At
Theodora’s urging, he granted more rights to women.

21. In 1532, a chariot race the Hippodrome got out of hands
and violence and chaos flooded the streets of
Constantinople.
Several senators saw the chaos as an opportunity to
overthrow Justinian.
In fact, Justinian was scared for his life and was ready to
flee the city in fear. However, his wife Theodora
proclaimed, “it is better to die a ruler than to live as
nothing”.
Justinian instead sent an army and the riots were put
down. And it was Theodora’s courage that is credited
with saving her husband’s rule.

22. After the riot, the city of Constantinople had to be rebuilt. Theodora aided in the
rebuilding and the construction of aqueducts, bridges and churches which
culminated in the creation of the Hagia Sophia.
She also led a series of reforms and laws that elevated the rights, status and
promoted equal treatment of women throughout the empire.
For all of this, she is the mots famous woman in Byzantine history.
Theodora and Justinian has no children together. When
Theodora died from cancer in A.D. 548, Justinian was
overcome with grief. He had her incorporated into many works
of art, including numerous Byzantine mosaics.

23. The Importance of Trade
The Byzantine empire was the center of trade between Europe
and Asia. Trade goods from present-day Russia in the North,
Mediterranean lands in the South, Latin Europe in the West,
and Persia and China in the East passed through the empire.
Form Asia, ships and caravans brought luxury goods-spices,
gems, metals, and cloth-to Constantinople. For these items,
Byzantine merchants trade farm goods as well as furs, honey
and enslaved people from Northern Europe. This enormous
trade made the byzantine empire very rich. One of the major
Byzantine industries was weaving silk. It developed around
A.D. 550. At time, Byzantine travelers smuggled silkworm eggs
out of China. Brought to Constantinople, the silkworms fed on
mulberry leaves and produced silk threads. Weavers then
used the threads to make the silk cloth that brought wealth to
the empire.

24. Art and Architecture
Justinian and other Byzantine emperors supported artists and architects. They ordered the building of
churches, forts, and public buildings throughout the empire. Constantinople was known for its hundreds of
churches and palaces. One of Justinian’s greatest achievements was building the huge church called
Hagia Sophia, or “Holy Wisdom”. It became the religious center of the Byzantine Empire. It stands today as
Istanbul.

25. Byzantine Women
Byzantine women were not encouraged to lead independent lives. They were expected to stay at home and
take care of their families. However, women did gain some rights, thanks to Empress Theodora. Like Theodora
herself, some Byzantine women became well educated and involved in politics. Several royal women served
as regents.

26. Byzantine Education
Learning was highly respected in Byzantine culture. The government supported the training of scholars, boys
studied religion, medicine, law, arithmetic, grammar, and other subjects. Wealthy Byzantine sometimes hired tutors
to each their children. Girls usually did not attend at schools and were taught at home. Most Byzantine authors
wrote about religion. They stressed the need to obey God and save one’s soul. To strengthen faith, they wrote
about the lives of saints. Byzantine writers gave an important gift to the world.

27. Byzantine Christianity
Citizens of the Byzantine Empire strongly identified as
Christians, just as they identified as Romans. Emperors,
seeking to unite their realm under one faith, recognized
Christianity as the state religion and endowed the church with
political and legal power

28. Upheaval in the Church
Since the split of the Western and Eastern Rome, the
Church also experienced a schism (split).
The split cannot traced back to one single event, but
many disagreements between Eastern and Western
viewpoints over cultural differences, politics, the Pope,
Church celebrations created a divide in the Church that
could not be repaired.
This known as the “Great Schism” or “East-West
Schism” made official in 1054 when the Pope and
Patriarch excommunicated each other.

29. Over time these differences grew into a Great Schism, a
split between the Roman Catholic and Byzantine
churches. In the 700s, a Byzantine emperor outlawed the
use of icons, holy images of saints or Jesus. This set off
a religious battle with Rome. In 1054 the split hit the
breaking point over additional issues. The pope and the
patriarch excommunicated one another. The church
divided into the Eastern or Greek Orthodox Church and
the Roman Catholic Church.
Upheaval in the Church

31. Roman Catholic
• Services conducted in Latin
• The Pope is authority over all including
kings and emperors
• Priests are celibate (cannot marry or have
children)
• Divorce is not permitted
• Icons are allowed in worship
Eastern Orthodox
• Services conducted in Greek
• The emperor claims authority over the Patriarch
and other officials
• Priests can marry and have children
• Divorce permitted in certain cases
• Icons are forbidden
Similarities
• Both religions are based of the teachings of Jesus and the Bible
• Both have baptism
• Both seek converts

32. After hundred of years of glory, fortunes changed in the
Byzantine Empire.
The empire was almost continuously plagued by different
groups along it’s border seeking more territory.
• Many attacks came from groups such as the Turks,
Persians, Slavs, Vikings, and Mongols
• Muslim armies started to gain control much of the
Mediterranean.

33. Constantinople Falls
• Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in
1453 and renamed it Istanbul
• Muslim influences replaced Christian ones.
• Hagia Sophia was converted from a church
to mosque.

34. The Byzantine legacy influenced later cultures. Byzantine art, especially religious icons,
influenced Western styles. Byzantine scholars preserved many Greek and Roman historical
works and took them to the West, where they would influence the Renaissance. For centuries,
Justinian’s Code has influenced European law.
Constantinople sat at a crossroads of land and sea routes. Its great wealth came from trade
and its military might. As the cities of the western Roman empire crumbled, Constantinople
remained secure and prosperous. With its high walls and golden domes, it stood as the proud
capital of the Byzantine empire.

35. https://slideplayer.com/slide/12425206/
https://www.mpsaz.org/rmhs/staff/trbrimhall/apworldhistory/files/eastern_western_europe_wall_posters.pdf
https://www.penfield.edu/webpages/jgiotto/onlinetextbook.cfm?subpage=1679589#:~:text=Although%20the%20people%2
0of%20the,dyed%20clothing%2C%20with%20expensive%20slippers.
http://chapter12byzantine.weebly.com/conflicts-and-economy.html
References:
https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-byzantine-art/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17VAz30lv5PC6I7Hki9gQooPVoTPlteNU/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17VAz30lv5PC6I7Hki9gQooPVoTPlteNU/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sqfLOdJ66vAPUtFOPOK554ujY1zl-xPY/view
https://mrgreenlhs.weebly.com/unit-1-the-byzantine-empire.html

36. Remarks/Examples:
Examples are Justinian the Great, Theodora, Belisarius,
John of Damascus, Anna Comnena, Cyril and Methodius.
dentify key figures associated with the Byzantine Empire.

37. Florida Standards
•SS.912.W.2.1 Locate the extent of Byzantine territory at the height of the
empire.
•SS.912.W.2.2 Describe the impact of Constantine the Great’s establishment
of “New Rome” (Constantinople) and his recognition of Christianity as a legal
religion.
•SS.912.W.2.3 Analyze the extent to which the Byzantine Empire was a
continuation of the old Roman Empire and in what ways it was a departure.
•SS.912.W.2.4 Identify key figures associated with the Byzantine Empire.
•SS.912.W.2.5 Explain the contributions of the Byzantine Empire.
•SS.912.W.2.6 Describe the causes and effects of the Iconoclast controversy
of the 8th and 9th centuries and the 11th century Christian schism between
the churches of Constantinople and Rome.
•SS.912.W.2.7 Analyze causes (Justinian’s Plague, ongoing attacks from the
“barbarians,” the Crusades, and internal political turmoil) of the decline of
the Byzantine Empire.
•SS.912.W.2.9 Analyze the impact of the collapse of the Western Roman
Empire on Europe.