Chapter 9, Section 3: The Byzantine Empire

BellringerApril 5, 2012Take out something to write

Take out Chapter 9 Notes Guide

Put the remainder of your materials in/under your deskChapter 9, Section 3:The Byzantine EmpireObjectivesToday we will be learning about the rise of the Byzantine Empire.The Rise of the Byzantines*As the Western Roman Empire fell the Eastern Roman Empire grew rich.

*Greeks made up the Eastern Roman empires largest group. Why is Constantinople Important?*By A.D. 500s, Con has become one of the worlds great cities.

*It was located between the Black Sea & the Aegean Sea which offered safe harbors for trade ships.

Con was easy to defend. *Seas protected it on three sides and a huge wall on the fourth.

Con = ConstantinopleInfluence of Greek Culture *At first the Byzantines followed Roman ways. *Con was known as the New Rome.

*The city even had an arena for chariot races called the Hippodrome.

Influence of Greek Culture *Empires spoke Latin & enforced Roman Laws.

As time passed the empire became less Roman & more Greek. They spoke Greek & followed Greek customs.

*Other cultures like Egyptian, Slavs & Persian blended w/the Byzantine culture.

Emperor Justinian *Justinian b/c emperor of the Byzantine Empire in A.D. 527.

*He was a strong ruler who controlled the military, made laws, & was supreme judge.

*Theodora, his wife, helped him rule the empire.

*She convinced him to give women more rights.

Theodora Theodora is perhaps the most influential and powerful woman in the Byzantine Empire's history.

Law changed for her marriage

Her name on laws

No children

Died of CancerTheodoraJustinians ConquestsJustinian wanted to reunite the Roman Empire & bring back Romes glory.

*He ordered general, Belisarius, to reorganize the army & make it stronger.

*The Byzantine military conquered most of Italy & northern Africa.

*However, after Justinian died the conquered territory was lost. Justinians Law Code*Justinian order Tribonian to reform the law codes to make them easier to understand. Tribonian headed a group of legal scholars who reformed the law code

*The new laws were known as Justinian Code (these laws influenced laws in other countries in Europe).

Byzantine Civilization*The Byzantine Empire lasted for about 1,000 yrs.

The Byzantines preserved & passed on Greek culture and Roman law to other ppl.

*They also helped to spread Christianity. Importance of Trade*The Byzantine Empire was the center of trade btw Europe & Asia.

*Most Byzantine were farmers, herders, laborers & artisans.

*One major industry was weaving silk (they stole the idea from China). Byzantine Art & ArchitectureHagia Sophia*One of Justinians greatest achievements was building this huge church.

*Holy Wisdom.

*I/S the church were mosaics (pictures made from bits of colored glass and stone).

*The mosaics showed figures of Saints or Christian holy ppl. Byzantine Women*The family was the center of social life for Byzantines.

*Women were expected to stay at home and take care of the family.

*Empress Theodora helped women gain some rights & b/c educated.

*Some royal women b/c regents. Regent- person who stands in and rules for a ruler that is too young or ill to govern.Byzantine EducationThe govt supported the training of scholars & govt officials.

Boys studied: *Religion*Medicine *Law*Math *Grammar.Byzantine Education*Some wealthy parents hired teachers to come to their homes & teach the sons.

*Byzantine writers copied down & passed on the writings of Greeks and Romans.

Homework