Byzantine Empire Chapter 9 Section 3 Constantinople n

Byzantine Empire Chapter 9 Section 3

Constantinople n Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to a new city called Constantinople. n By the A. D. 500 s, Constantinople was thriving and had become one of the world’s greatest cities. n It was located on the waterways between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea.

Map of the Byzantine Empire

Location of Constantinople n Seas protected the city on three sides, on the fourth side, a huge wall guarded the city. n Invaders could not easily take Constantinople

Walls of Constantinople

The New City Constantinople was known as the “new Rome. ” n It even had an oval arena called the Hippodrome, where chariot races and other events were held. n

Greek Influence n As time passed, the Byzantine Empire became less Roman and more Greek. n Most Byzantines spoke Greek and honored the Greek past. n Other cultures influenced Byzantine- such as the Egyptians, the Slavs, and the Persians.

Emperor Justinian became emperor of the Byzantine Empire in A. D. 527. n He was a strong leader, controlled the military, made laws, and was a supreme judge. n

Empress Theodora helped Justinian run the empire. n She helped him to chose government officials. n She convinced him to give women more rights. n

Justinian’s Code of Law n Justinian decided the empire’s laws were disorganized and too difficult to understand. n He ordered a group of legal scholars to reform the laws. n Justinian’s Code of Law became known as the Justinian Code.

Byzantine Civilization n The Byzantine empire lasted approximately 1000 years. n The Byzantines were highly educated and creative. n They also spread Christianity to people in Eastern Europe.

Importance of Trade n The Byzantine Empire was the center of trade between Europe and Asia from the A. D. 500 s- A. D. 1100 s. n The enormous trade made the Byzantine Empire very rich. n Another major industry of the Byzantine Empire was weaving silk.

Byzantine Architecture n Constantinople became known for its hundreds of churches, forts, and public buildings. n One of Justinian’s greatest achievements was the building of the Hagia Sophia or “Holy Wisdom. ” n It became the religious center of the Byzantine Empire.

Hagia Sophia

Byzantine Art n Byzantine mosaics decorated churches and public buildings. n A mosaic is a painting made from richly colored, irregular pieces of glass. n Mosaics mainly showed figures of saints or Christian holy people.

Byzantine Mosaics

Byzantine Women Family life was the center of the social life for most Byzantines. Byzantine women were not encouraged to lead independent lives. Instead they were expected to stay home and take care of their families.

Byzantine Education n n Learning was highly respected in Byzantine culture. The government supported the training of scholars and government officials. Byzantine authors wrote about the lives of saints. They copied and passed on the writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Without these Byzantine copies many of the works from the ancient world would have been lost.