The Byzantine Empire & - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Byzantine Empire & the Eastern Orthodox Church

The Eastern Remains of the Roman Empire

Weakening of the Roman Empire

As the Roman Empire began to weaken, the Emperor

Constantine

moved the capital city from Rome to the city of

Byzantium

in 330 A.D. It was known as the “New Rome,” but was later named

Constantinople

. This city grew and prospered at the crossroads to the East, but the Western Roman Empire was not as lucky. As Germanic tribes attacked the city of Rome, it fell, leaving the Eastern city as the legacy of the Romans. This city became the center of the

Byzantine Empire

.

Constantinople: A Crossroads

Located on a peninsula jutting into the Black Sea toward AsiaSurrounded by water on 3 sides and fortified by walls and watchtowers across the landLinked East and West as central point of land and sea trade routes

A Wealthy City

City’s location made it richest in the Mediterranean for over 700 yearsIvory, silks, furs, perfume luxuries tradedPopulation over a million peopleCulture a mix of Greek, Roman, and that of the many travelers from three continentsWealthy enjoyed their luxuriesPoor swept the cities streets to receive bread handouts from the emperorTechnologically and culturally advanced with sewer systems, hospitals, entertainment, and church

The Reign of Justinian

527 to 565 A.D.Married to Theodora, a leader for her city

Justinian’s Contributions

Determined to rebuild the city after a revolt by the peopleEstablished public works programsBuilt bridges, public baths, parks, roads, and hospitalsBuilt grand churchesHagia SophiaLaunched military campaigns to reclaim territory

Justinian’s Code

Systematic body of law created by JustinianEncouraged by TheodoraRevised and updated Roman codesExtended women’s rights (property)Became basis for western legal codes

Byzantine Empire under Justinian

The Eastern Orthodox Church

The Foundation of an Empire

Hagia

Sophia

Constantine’s Dream

Imagined his “New Rome” as religious center of the Roman Empire

Church used idea of councils to address disputes and answer questions of faith

Orthodox faith of Christianity based on set of beliefs traced to Jesus and the work of early bishops in the Christian councils

Linked closely with government as one all-powerful body

Church’s Role

Daily Life

Practices

People attended church regularlyReligious sacraments for all stages of lifeMonasteries and Convents cared for sick and poorWealthy supported work of the church

Church Hierarchy from Emperor to Patriarch to Bishops to Priests

Liturgy conducted in Greek was sacred rite of worship

Architecture and art represented religious symbols

High dome with square base

Rich decorations like entering God’s kingdom

Icons represented on walls, in windows, and as mosaics

The Break from the West

Eastern Orthodox Church came into conflict with Christian churches of West

Iconoclasm – orders by Byzantine emperor to destroy icons after seeing people were worshipping symbols and images instead of God

Crowning of Empress Irene in 800 led the Pope of the West to “defend” the church against the rule of a woman by crowning Frank King Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor

Great Schism – split of the East from West in symbolic ceremony between Cardinal representing West and Patriarch defending Eastern traditions

End Result of the Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire saw great development in the rule of the people and the role of the church. With the new codes of law and the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the division of the East and West was more clear. This prosperous Empire was successful for 1000 years, but the entrance of the Turks from the East ended their mighty reign.

Comparative Work

Write a thesis that taps for the prompt to the right. Fill out the outline included at the end of your notes.

Analyze the similarities and differences in the

codes of Justinian and

Quranic

law while discussing the long term impacts of each code on contemporary society.