The Byzantine Empire

1. The Byzantine Empire Ch 1 Sec 1

2. Growth of the Byzantine Empire • Many leaders in the empire tried to revive the power and glory of the Roman Empire. • Justinian ruled from 527-565 AD. • He lead the revival of the empire and is known as one of the greatest emperors.

3. Justinian Code • One of Byzantines greatest accomplishment. • Justinian ordered that scholars to collect the laws of Rome. • The code was divided into four parts. • Formed the basis for many Europeans legal system. • And is the basis for English Civil law.

4. Able Advisors • One of Justinian's best advisors was his wife---- Theodora. • Helped change the laws that affected the status of women. • Altered divorce laws to give better benefit to women. • Allowed women to own property equal to the valve of their DOWRY. • Dowry -- money of goods a wife brought to a husband at marriage

5. Strength of the Empire • The Byzantine had an all powerful emperor and strong central government. • They were clever diplomats. • They created alliances through marriages with foreign powers. • Their army was very well trained and were equipped well. • Created GREEK FIRE … like napalm • The Byzantine were able to control trade between Asia and Europe. • Controlled the Bosporus Strait • Goods from England to China came in and out of Constantinople.

6. The Christian Church • The Early Christian Church was divided into East and West. • Two leaders • The Pope in the West. The Patriarch in the East • They did not agree on church practices. • One of the major differences was the role of Icons in the church. • The Byzantines were iconoclasts -- did not believe in having icons in the church

7. The Christian Church • The Pope disagree with iconoclast. He believed that this was heresy. • Heresy -- An opinion that conflicts with official church beliefs. • They were threatened with excommunication. Person can’t be a member of the church anymore. • This cause a lot of friction. Eventually the two churches split. • The Western Church became the Roman Catholic Church lead by the Pope. • The Eastern Church became the Eastern Orthodox Church lead by the Patriarch

8. Byzantine Culture • Religion was the main subject in Byzantine art. • Many of the mosaics covered the churches. • Mosaic-- a picture or design made from small pieces of enamel, glass or stone • Artist didn’t try to imitate reality.

9. Decline of the Empire • After Justinian died, the empire lost many wars against the Persians to the east and the Germanic tribe to the west • During 1000 AD the Seljuk Turks most of Asia Minor. • The Western Empire helped to regain some power back from the Turks. • The Ottoman eventually took control of the empire in 1453 with the capture of Constantinople. The Byzantine Empire Ended.