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The Byzantine Empire. Byzantium becomes the “New Rome”. In 330, Constantine moved the capital from Rome to the Greek city, Byzantium. Renames city Constantinople. As the cities of the western Roman empire crumbled, Constantinople prospered. Constantinople.
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Byzantium becomes the “New Rome” • In 330, Constantine moved the capital from Rome to the Greek city, Byzantium • Renames city Constantinople As the cities of the western Roman empire crumbled, Constantinople prospered
Constantinople • With its high walls and golden domes, it stood as the proud capital of the Byzantine Empire
Justinian Builds a New Rome • Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (527-565 CE) • Justinian is known for four main things…
Justinian’s Codes • The code consisted of 4 works • The Code- contained 5,000 Roman laws • The Digest- opinions of Rome’s greatest legal thinkers about the laws • The Institutes- a textbook explaining how to use the law • The Novellae- “New Law” presented legislation after 534
Empress Theodora • The most powerful woman in Byzantine history. • Major political influence- She met with foreign leaders, passed laws and built churches • Recognized the rights of women by establishing laws to protect women and gave then greater benefits in divorces.
After Justinian’s death the empire suffered many setbacks • Plague from rats on ships from India • Enemies from west, north, and east side • However, attacks on Constantinople by Persians, Slavs, Vikings, Arabs and other groups were largely unsuccessful …
CONSTANTINOPLE’S STRONG MILITARY DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY SAVE THE DAY On two occasions, from 674 to 677, and again in 717-18, Arab armies besieged Constantinople by land and sea. 4 things saved the city Superior military organization City’s high walls Strategic location Greek fire (early napalm) By 800 CE, most territory south of Taurus Mountains were lost, and much of the empire lay in ruins.
Back in the West • The European kingdoms finds themselves less prepared to defend against attacks until Charlemagne unifies them • Pope asks Charlemagne, king of the Frankish (France) empire, for help defending Rome • In return for Charlemagne's protection the Pope names him Holy Roman Emperor in the West (800 CE)
Differences in Christianity Emerge Roman Catholic Church (West) Eastern Orthodox Church (East) • Capital • Rome • Authority: • pope claims authority over all kings and emperors • Language • Latin • Church policies • Priests could not marry • Divorce was never allowed • Capital • Constantinople • Authority • emperor claims authority over the patriarch and all other bishops • Language • Greek • Church policies • Priests can marry • Divorce allowed under certain conditions
The Great Schism • The permanent split between the Byzantine Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church • In 1054 the Roman Catholic Pope and the East Orthodox Patriarch excommunicated each other in a dispute over religious doctrine
Crisis and Collapse • Schism – less connection with the west • Attacks from enemies • Especially the Ottoman Turks who are slowly taking over Byzantine territory • (Remember: they stopped at Constantinople only because they were attacked by the Mongols on their borders.) • Crusades – both sides ravage Constantinople as they pass through
The weakened Constantinople could not defend itself from the rising new power in the region-the Ottoman Turks- who, by the 1300s-had completely encircled the old eastern capital.
