Lecture 7 Byzantine Empire 1 Unit 1 Early

Lecture #7 Byzantine Empire 1 Unit 1: Early Civilization and World in Transition

Objectives: • S 2 C 2 PO 1: Contrast the fall of Rome with the development of the Byzantine and Arab Empires. 2

I. Background A. West = weak B. East = wealthy and center of power C. Constantinople = capital D. Byzantine Empire developed out of Eastern Roman Empire. 3

II. Geography A. B. C. D. Peninsula Protected by sea and a wall Three massive wall Great Avenues ran toward the center of the city. 4

III. Byzantine Empire A. Language and traditions were Greek, B. Legal system was Roman. C. Absolute monarchs/emperors -Made laws -commanded the army and navy -supervised trade and industry. -appointed head of church in Constantinople 5

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IV. Reign of Justinian & Theodora A. Ruled 527 – 565 B. Justinian Code 1. made laws more consistent 2. Most European countries can trace their legal system to this code 7

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The Justinian Code 3. Part 1 – the Code – Useful Roman Laws 4. Part 2 – the Digest – Summarized legal opinions 5. Part 3 – the Institutes – Guide for law students 6. Part 4 – the Novellae – Laws passed after 534 AD 9

C. Theodora 1. Wife of Justinian 2. Affected the status of women -Christian women could own land equal to their dowry. – Dowry – money or goods a wife brought to a husband at marriage. 10

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Review Questions • Why does Constantine move the capital of the empire to the eastern part of the empire? • Describe the geography of the new capital city. • What was Justinian’s greatest achievement? 12

V. Economy A. Trade (China and Western Europe) B. Tax C. Farming (grapes, olives, and wheat) 13

VI. Empire Besieged A. Justinian conquests regained much of Roman territory B. 600’s 1. European and Asian invaders 2. Lost territory 3. Greatest threat = Arab invaders 14

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VII. Split between East and West A. Religious 1. Rome = Roman Catholic Church 2. Constantinople = Eastern Orthodox Church B. Economic 1. West = trade, town life and learning was declining 2. East = center of wealth and culture. 16

VIII. Decline of the Empire A. 1071 Seljuk Turks destroyed their army. B. Constantinople devastated C. Crushing taxes D. Falling agricultural production E. Declining trade F. Loss of territory 17

F. Loss of territory 1. 1200/1300 - Byzantines lost much of Asia Minor to Ottoman Turks 2. 1453 Ottoman Turks capture Constantinople (Deathblow!!!) ***Officially ending the thousand-year reign of Byzantine Empire. 18

A painting by Italian artist dramatizes the Ottoman Turks conquest of Constantinople in 1453 19

Review Questions • What did Justinian’s Code do for the empire? • What separated the Byzantine Empire from Western Europe? • Who brought the Byzantine Empire to an end? 20