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

The Byzantine Empire did not face barbarian invasionsWealthier due to trade routesMore protected citiesEasier to defend

Constantinople

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

Cistern Basilica

Political Structure

CaesaropapismEmperor was also the head of the

ChurchChosen 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

Hagia Sophia, Church of the Holy Wisdom, 6th c.

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 gallowsRebellion of two political parties (Blues and

Greens)1/3rd of city burnedShouted “Nika” (victory) to identify each

otherTheodora convinced Justinian to stayRebels met in HippodromeJustinian bribed BluesGreens slaughtered by army – 30,000 killed

Relations with Western Europe

Different languages between east and westGreek versus Latin

Different interpretations of ChristianityIconsPope 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 Crusaders , 1204

The Fall of Constantinople to the Muslims

In 1453 the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople.

Renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.