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Byzantine Empire. Byzantine Empire. Where did the name come from?. Byzantium Greek colony founded in 667 BCE King Byzas The Byzantines called themselves either ‘Romans’ or ‘Greeks’. Byzantine: a modern invention. . The Byzantine Empire.
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Where did the name come from? • Byzantium • Greek colony founded in 667 BCE • King Byzas • The Byzantines called themselves either ‘Romans’or ‘Greeks’. • Byzantine: a modern invention.
The Byzantine Empire • The Byzantine Empire did not face barbarian invasions • Wealthier due to trade routes • More protected cities • Easier to defend
Trade • Almost all east/west trade passed through Constantinople • Made the city the wealthiest in the world
Constantinople Most enlightened city of medieval Christendom • Churches • Palaces • Libraries • Universities • Theaters • Public Baths • Aqueducts • Best wall (outside of China) in antiquity. The Walls of Theodosius
Political Structure • Caesaropapism • Emperor was also the head of the Church • Chosen by God
Justinian and Theodora • Imperial couple who strengthened the Byzantine Empire • Justinian • Born from a peasant family • Joined the army and rose to power • Theodora • Worked as a stripper and a prostitute • Served as wife and advisor to Justinian
Justinian and Theodora • Justinian devoted resources to Constantinople • Churches – Hagia Sophia • Hippodrome • Expanded empire through warfare • Justinian Code
Justinian’s Code of Laws • Origin of the English word “justice” • Women had more rights • They could own property • Children allowed to choose their own marriage partners • Punishments fit the crime
Nika Rebellion • Problem at the gallows • Rebellion of two political parties (Blues and Greens) • 1/3rd of city burned • Shouted “Nika” (victory) to identify each other • Theodora convinced Justinian to stay • Rebels met in Hippodrome • Justinian bribed Blues • Greens slaughtered by army – 30,000 killed
Relations with Western Europe • Different languages between east and west • Greek versus Latin • Different interpretations of Christianity • Icons • Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated each other in 1054
Iconoclasm • Temporary ban on all religious imagery • Byzantines actually destroy many of their great works of art
Cultural Perceptions • Byzantines saw Western Europeans as barbarians. • Westerners saw Byzantines as sneaky and liars.
Decline and Collapse (1025-1453) • The Crusades (1204) • Westerners stopped at Constantinople on their way to Holy Land • Constantinople sacked by Crusaders
The Fall of Constantinople to the Muslims • In 1453 the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople. • Renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.