Justinian and the Byzantine Empire

1. Justinian and the Byzantine Empire

2. Reign of Justinian • 5th century, Eastern Roman empire was centered around Constantinople • Justinian became emperor in 527/ determined to reestablish the Roman empire in the Mediterranean/ reached his goals by 552

3. Constantinople

4. Life in Constantinople • Largest city in Europe in the Middle Ages • Based on trade until the 12th century/ Europe’s greatest center of Commerce • During Justinian’s reign, silkworms were smuggled from China to begin a silk industry • Hagia Sophia = church of Holy Wisdom • Hippodrome = arena where gladiator fights & chariot races were held

5. Justinian and Theodora Autocrat – ruler who has complete authority • Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora. Created a huge Christian empire • Empire reached its greatest size

6. Justinian and Theodora • Built Hagia Sophia • Rebuilt the Hippodrome

7. Justinian and Theodora • Justinian created the Body of Civil Law = code of Roman laws that was the basis of imperial law in Eastern Roman empire until its end in 1453 • Aka Justinian’s Code

8. Justinian’s Code of Laws • Laws were fairer to women. They could own property and raise their own children after their husbands died. • Children allowed to choose their own marriage partners. • Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their masters. • Punishments were detailed and fit the crime • His work inspired the modern concept and, indeed, the very spelling of "justice".

9. Emperor Justinian

11. Beginning of Byzantine Empire • Justinian’s conquest left Eastern Roman empire with too much land to protect far from Constantinople • Arab Muslims were the biggest threat to Eastern Roman Empire • Islamic forces defeated an army of Eastern Roman at Yarmuk in 636 & lost Syria & Palestine • 679, Bulgars defeated the Eastern Roman empire & took possession of the lower Danube Valley • 8th century, Eastern Roman empire was much smaller (Asia minor & eastern Balkans)

12. Byzantine Empire • Both a Greek & Christian state • Greek replaced Latin as the official language • Christian church became known as Eastern Orthodox Church • Byzantine emperor controlled the church & the state • Emperor appointed the head of the church • Government & religious officials were all bound together in the service of a spiritual ideal

14. Byzantine Empire • Macedonians ruled the Byzantine Empire from 876-1081 • Macedonians expanded the empire • Expanded trade relations w/ Western Europe • Late 11th century = lot of political & social disorder

15. Byzantine Art: Mosaics and Illuminated Manuscripts

16. Hagia Sophia

17. The End of the Byzantine Empire • The Byzantine empire drew to a close in 1453 when forces from the Muslim Ottoman Empire surrounded and conquered Constantinople. • The ancient Christian city was renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.