Religion Constantine became Christian Ended persecution of Christians Made Christianity the official religion of Rome Capital City Moved capital from Rome to Byzantium Rebuilt the city stronger ID: 647372
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Slide1
The Byzantine EmpireSlide2
Constantine’s Two Changes
Religion
Constantine became Christian
Ended persecution of ChristiansMade Christianity the official religion of RomeCapital CityMoved capital from Rome to ByzantiumRebuilt the city strongerRenamed it Constantinople in 330AD“City of Constantine”Slide3
Constantinople
City had grown by 500AD
Markets, forums, paved roads, cathedral, public baths, palace, hippodrome (place for races)
500,000 people lived thereThese people were still called ByzantinesConstantinople remained capital Even under new emperorsRoman Empire split in half in 476ADEastern half (Byzantium) was strongerStrongest army in the world
TradeSlide4Slide5
Trade
Constantinople built at trading crossroads
Middle of both land and sea trade routes
City became center of tradeGoodsIdeasTaxed trade that went through itLocated on the BosporusStrait (narrow of water linking two bigger bodies)Connects Black Sea and Sea of Marmara
Links Europe and AsiaSlide6Slide7
Justinian and Theodora
Ruled Byzantine Empire in 527AD
Energetic ruler
Had been born into a poor familyLed him to listen to all those he ruledCode of JustinianSummarized, simplified, and explained old Roman lawsBecame the basis of the modern legal systemMarried the Empress TheodoraBorn to a bear-keeper at the Hippodrome
Gained power by advising Justinian
Improved rights of women in the empireSlide8
The Byzantine Empire Struggles
Emperor Justinian died in 565AD
Byzantine Empire went into decline
Had to fight off invaders from all sidesLost power, sizeDifferences between the Western (Roman) and Easter (Byzantine) churchesWest: Followed the Pope (Bishop of Rome)Latin was the official language of the Church in the West
East:
Followed the Patriarch
Highest Church official in Constantinople, who had been approved by the Byzantine Emperor
Greek was the official language of the Church in the EastSlide9
A Major Break-Up
Iconoclasm
Greek Emperor decided to outlaw use of icons
Said they violated 10 CommandmentsIconoclasm: The destruction of iconsPope said icons were fine, excommunicated the EmperorSchism (split in the Church)Byzantine church felt that Pope didn’t have authority to excommunicate the EmperorSplit from the Catholic Church in 1054Started Easter Orthodox ChurchSlide10
A Second Golden Age
900-mid 1000s AD
Trade increased
Economy grew strong againCity grewPopulationDiversityBasil IIRuled from 976-1025ADStrongest ruler since JustinianRegained some lost land
Arts were strong under himSlide11
The Beginning of the End
Islam on the rise
Turks started chipping away at the Empire
End of the 12th CenturyWar with Venice 1171 ADDispute over a trade agreementSacked by CrusadersRuled by Christian Crusaders from the West for 50 years
Byzantines back in control of capital in 1261AD
Empire falling apart and shrinkingSlide12
The Fall of Constantinople
Fall of Constantinople 1453
70,000 Turks
besieged city by land and seaCannons to attack walls7,000 defenders held out for 2 monthsTurks took capital for themselvesRenamed it IstanbulBecame capital of the Ottoman Empire