Byzantine Empire History of Constantinople o Byzantium o

Byzantine Empire

History of Constantinople o Byzantium o Rome divided o Founded by Constantine, in 330 AD o Divine order or strategic location? o Western Rome declined, then collapsed o Constantinople took its place

Geography of Constantinople o “Golden Horn” o Harbor o Controlled Bosporus Strait o Surrounded by water o Access to Black & Mediterranean Seas o Trade crossroad between Europe & Asia

Constantinople = “New Rome” o o Rulers saw themselves as Roman 1000 years after Rome “fell” Constantinople flourished Carried on “glory of Rome” Center for: n Law n History n Architecture n Classical scholarship

Constantinople compared w/ Rome o Byzantine culture influenced by Rome o City modeled on Rome o Built on seven hills o Buildings/structures reflected Roman influence o Stronger tradition of absolutism & monotheism

Arches & Columns

Constantinople vs. Rome Retained but relaxed many of Roman rules & customs Bread & Circuses continued Army followed Roman traditions Class-based standards of punishment Different dress for rich & poor Some mobility in social hierarchy Emperors chose officials based on merit not hereditary social class n Byzantine Senate not as rigid & powerful as Rome n n n n

Constantinople: Heir to Rome o Bridge between ancient & modern Europe o Christianity, Roman customs, Greek classical culture all survived, blended, flourished o preserved Ancient Greek literature & philosophy o Greek was official languagerequired for citizenship o Preserved/codified Roman legal traditions

Who was Justinian? o 527 -565 AD o Classical education-law, music, architecture, theology o Devout, stubborn o Ambitious, military leader o Wanted to regain lost Roman territory o Taxed the people heavily

Justinian = “New Caesar? o Regained Roman lands o Political & Religious Leader o Absolute Rulebrutal o Chose people based on ability not wealth o Appointed & dismissed bishops

Justinian o Throne was built large enough for two o Symbolized the Emperor’s partnership with Jesus o Leader of all military, made laws, headed the government & church, was supreme judge

Primary Source o “For he was … villainous and … a moron. He was never truthful … easily hoodwinked by any who wanted to deceive him. His nature was an unnatural mixture of folly and wickedness. ” § Procopius [c. 490/510 c. 560 s]

What were Justinian’s Contributions to Law and Public Works? o Many construction projects-churches, bridges, roads, monasteries, forums, forts o Most famous. Church of Holy Wisdom-Hagia Sophia

Life in “New Rome” o Christian o Roman tradition but unique o Spoke Greek not Latin o Wealthy o Trade and commerce flourished

Justinian’s Code o Reformed old Roman Law o Four Parts: n The Code- Roman Laws that were still useful n The Digest- quoted and summarized opinions of Rome’s greatest legal thinkers n The Institutes- textbook that instructed students on how to use the law n The Novellae- New laws after 534 AD

Justinian’s Code o Combined Greek & Roman legal traditions o Process took six years o Inspired the word “justice”

Justian’s Code o Regulated marriage, slavery, property, inheritance, women’s rights and criminal justice o Served the empire for 900 years o Influenced European and American law

Justinian’s Code American Laws Women’s Rights Robbery Failure to Pay Debts Murder Inheritance

The Imperial Capital o o o o o Rebuilt fortifications 14 -mile stone wall along the coastline Many Churches Enlarged palace Baths Aqueducts Law courts Schools Hospitals

Preservation of Greco-Roman Culture Classical learning Greek Latin Philosophy Literature - Homer Euclid - geometry Herodotus – history o Galen - medicine o o o o

Hagia Sophia: Then

Hagia Sophia: Now

Hagia Sophia o Over 12, 000 workers to complete o Major feature was its huge dome set on top of a rectangular base o Very ornate, mosaics

Hippodrome

Theodora o Advanced her friends, destroyed her enemies o Justinian changed marriage laws to marry her o Social welfare programs for poor and homeless girls o Expanded women’s rights -convinced Justinian that women should own land o Helped save the empire during the Nika Revolt of AD 532

Theodora o Justinian’s wife o Intelligent, adventurous, influential, wise & politically savvy o Born into lower classes o Father was the bear-keeper for the circus o Dancer/actress courtesan

What was the “Nika” Rebellion o Horse racing fans sparked citywide riots against government o Justinian’s troops slaughtered 30, 000 rebels in Hippodrome o Justinian wanted to flee, Theodora said…

Theodora said… o "My opinion then is that the present time, above all others, is inopportune for flight, even though it bring safety. . For one who has been an emperor it is unendurable to be a fugitive. May I never be separated from this purple, and may I not live that day on which those who meet me shall not address me as mistress. If, now, it is your wish to save yourself, O Emperor, there is no difficulty. For we have much money, and there is the sea, here the boats. However consider whether it will not come about after you have been saved that you would gladly exchange that safety for death. For as for myself, I approve a certain ancient saying that royalty is a good burial-shroud. " When the queen had spoken thus, all were filled with boldness, and, turning their thoughts towards resistance, they began to consider how they might be able to defend themselves if any hostile force should come against them. . . § Procopius [c. 490/510 -c. 560 s]

Problems in The Empire o o o Justinian died Street riots Religious quarrels Palace intrigues Foreign dangers

What was “Greek Fire” o Developed by Navy o Chemical mix-ignited when it came into contact with fire o Secret weapon-exact mixture still unknown o Similar to Napalm

The Plague o o Probably came from India via ships Worst year was 542 10, 000 people a day died Re-emerged periodically