The Byzantine Empire

1. The Byzantine Empire Chapter 8, Sect 1

2. The Byzantine Empire Fall of the Western Empire during the 400-500BC’s The Eastern, or Byzantine Empire, thrives. Chapter 8, Sect 1

3. The Byzantine Empire • Justinian (527-565) • Ruled over Greece, Northern Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor, Syria, • Palestine, Egypt, & Cyrenaica. • Great political, economic, intellectual, & artistic REVIVAL. • Chose exceptional people (Theodora & Belisarius) • Re-conquered part of Western Empire • Theodora – wife, encouraged rights for women • Husbands cannot beat wives • Wives right to sue for divorce • Women can own property (equal to her dowry) • Widows not required to surrender children • During Nika Revolt became Justinian’s courage Chapter 8, Sect 1

4. The Byzantine Empire • Belisarius – Commander in Chief of Justinian’s Army • Was part of Justinian’s bodyguard • Made a name during Nika Revolt • His wife friend of Theodora (secured position for him) • Regained much of old Roman Empire for Justinian • Empire declined, but still survived even after Justinian • Civil Wars • Encroachment by Persians, Avars, Slavs, and finally the Muslims Chapter 8, Sect 1

5. The Byzantine Empire Strengths or Accomplishments of the Empire • Political • Highly Centralized Gov’t. • Shrewd Diplomacy • Effective “Intelligence” program • Involved in agitating neighbors against each other • Military • Well organized, trained army & navy • Developed instruction & training manuals • Improved weaponry • Guarded the secret of “Greek Fire” • Economic • LOCATION –trade routes Chapter 8, Sect 1

6. The Byzantine Empire The Christian Church • Head of Church- Patriarch of Constantinople • Eventually broke from Rome – became Eastern Orthodox Church • Debate over Icons - opposition by “Iconoclasts” • Heresy - speaking out against church doctrine • Excommunication – person barred from receiving sacred ordinances • Spread Christianity • Culture • Served classical learning from Greece & Rome • Art – beautiful architecture, mosaics • Hagia Sophia (holy wisdom)– Incredibly beautiful Church • Architecture uses compound arches & domes Chapter 8, Sect 1

7. The Byzantine Empire • Preservation of Roman Law • Collected & organized Roman statutes • Omitted repetitious or duplicate laws • Developed “Corpus juris civilis,” or “Body of Roman Law” • Set up in Four Parts: • The Code – collection of existing Roman laws (cleaned up) • The Digest- Topical Guide to Legal opinions • The Institutes- textbook of basic law • The Novels- collection of new laws Chapter 8, Sect 1

8. The Rise of Russia

9. The Rise of Russia • Geographical Features: • Steppe – large grassy, nearly treeless grassy plain, rich farmland • Ural Mountains – considered divider between Asia & Europe • Several large rivers, Vistula, Neman, & Dvina, flow to the Baltic (north) • Dniester & Dnieper flow into Black Sea • Slavs & Vikings: • Slavs overrun by many other peoples – open plain no natural barriers • Vikings invade from Scandinavia in A.D. 800’s – originally as traders • Trading centers (cities) spring up along trade routes • Major cities were Novgorod (in the north), Kiev (in the south) Chapter 8, Sect 2

10. The Rise of Russia • Kievan Russia • Rus, lead by Rurik capture Novgorod & Kiev • Kiev became prosperous because of location on trade routes • Government • Each city ruled by a Prince & council of Boyars • First Russian law code – Pravda Russkaia • Religion • Vladimir I – Converts to Eastern Orthodox Christianity • Patriarch of Constantinople chooses Metropolitan • Economy • Agriculture & trade most important • Great forests north of Steppe called the Taiga • Social Classes • 1. Royalty 2. Artisans & Merchants 3. Clergy 4. Peasants (largest) Chapter 8, Sect 2

11. The Rise of the Mongols • Kievan Russia in Decline • Kiev declines in power after 1054 • Towns & their Princes fight each other • Polovtsians raid from the south – trade diminishes • Civil War ensues – 1169 & 1203 Princes sack Kiev • Mongols invade from the Asian steppe • By 1240 Mongols had ravaged Kievan Russia • Kievan Russia Under the Mongols • Mongols did not impose their culture • Local rule allowed as long as taxes paid • Mongols improved infrastructure • (built roads, improved methods of taxation & communication) Chapter 8, Sect 3

12. The Rise of the Mongols • The Rise of Moscow • Prince Ivan I cooperates with Mongols, made him Grand Prince • Chief Metropolitan of Russian Orthodox Church moves to Moscow • Ivan III considers himself “Autocrat by the grace of God” • Ivan III, also called Ivan the Great, boots out Mongols (1480) • Unites the smaller principalities into the country called Russia • Ivan IV • Became ruler at 3yrs old (Boyars fought each other for power) • Takes power at age 17, declares himself heir to Rome & Byzantium • Calls himself Czar (Russian for Caesar) • Slaughters Boyars that he suspected of disloyalty • Extended the borders of Russia & centralized power Chapter 8, Sect 3

13. The Rise of the Mongols • The Growth of the Church • Increased property holdings • Metropolitan of Russian Orthodox Church chosen by Russian Bishops • Complete break w/Orthodox church in Constantinople • Metropolitan becomes Patriarch • Russians claim to be “Third Rome” • Invent story that Christianity brought to Russia by Andrew (12 Apostles) • Russia develops new confidence Chapter 8, Sect 3