The Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine EmpirePreserving the Legacy of Preserving the Legacy of

RomeRome

AgendaAgenda► Byzantine Packet - finishByzantine Packet - finish► Reading/OutlineReading/Outline

The Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine Empire

►Eastern Empire did NOT fall in 476. Eastern Empire did NOT fall in 476. ►Fought off the barbarians and held Fought off the barbarians and held

together- Centered at Constantinopletogether- Centered at Constantinople►Will become the dominant force in the Will become the dominant force in the

eastern Mediterranean from 476-1453eastern Mediterranean from 476-1453

The Eastern EmpireThe Eastern Empire

After Rome FallsAfter Rome Falls

►Constantinople is Constantinople is alone- their allies alone- their allies disappear.disappear.

►Consider Consider themselves the themselves the guardians of guardians of Roman glory, but Roman glory, but evolve, becoming evolve, becoming a new culturea new culture

What Stays the SameWhat Stays the Same

►For 100s of years think of themselves For 100s of years think of themselves as “Romans”- try very hard to preserveas “Romans”- try very hard to preserve

►Basic structure of the government Basic structure of the government (Emperor/Senate)(Emperor/Senate)

►Same military structure.Same military structure.►Still like order, structure, etc....Still like order, structure, etc....►Everyday lifeEveryday life►Trade- become VERY wealthy- with a Trade- become VERY wealthy- with a

high high standard of living.standard of living.

What ChangesWhat Changes

►Greater emphasis on Greek (rather Greater emphasis on Greek (rather than Latin) culture- even in languagethan Latin) culture- even in language

►Try to recreate a “polis” rather than Try to recreate a “polis” rather than “empire” feeling- personal connection“empire” feeling- personal connection

►Emperor shares power in governmentEmperor shares power in government►Education more prized- trying to save Education more prized- trying to save

what is being destroyed in Rome.what is being destroyed in Rome.

JustinianJustinian

►Most famous Byzantine Emperor. (527-Most famous Byzantine Emperor. (527-565)565)

►First to realize that they are NOT Rome First to realize that they are NOT Rome anymore (though he reconquered a lot of anymore (though he reconquered a lot of territory temporarily) they need to create territory temporarily) they need to create their OWN cultural identity.their OWN cultural identity.

►Famous Famous Justinian CodeJustinian Code- took all laws of - took all laws of Rome and reworked into categoriesRome and reworked into categories Important idea is that the law applies to Important idea is that the law applies to

everyoneeveryone and is above and is above everythingeverything- key idea in - key idea in our legal systemour legal system

Justinian and TheodoraJustinian and Theodora

►. .

StrengthStrengths of s of

EmpireEmpire►Constantinople has an excellent defensive Constantinople has an excellent defensive

position (golden horn)position (golden horn)►Built massive Triple walls- with farmland Built massive Triple walls- with farmland

and fresh water inside to withstand siege.and fresh water inside to withstand siege.►Built up navy- used that as primary Built up navy- used that as primary

defensedefense►Greek fire- legendary weapon- a liquid Greek fire- legendary weapon- a liquid

that could be sprayed and set on fire- that could be sprayed and set on fire- water doesn't extinguish.water doesn't extinguish.

The Triple WallsThe Triple Walls

TradeTrade► Again- back to older Greek traditions, Again- back to older Greek traditions,

international trade as basis of economy (Rome's international trade as basis of economy (Rome's trade was internal)trade was internal)

► End of Silk Road- gave them huge advantageEnd of Silk Road- gave them huge advantage► Bridge between Europe and Asia- trade with Bridge between Europe and Asia- trade with

both- make $$ from bothboth- make $$ from both

Byzantine ChristianityByzantine Christianity► Emperor is also Emperor is also

patriarch of city patriarch of city (caesaropapism)which (caesaropapism)which gives him political and gives him political and religious power. Sent religious power. Sent missionaries to convert missionaries to convert people north and east.people north and east.

► Common to Pray at Common to Pray at home using Icons- which home using Icons- which causes argument with causes argument with Pope in RomePope in Rome

► Create their own church- Create their own church- Eastern Orthodox. Eastern Orthodox. Shows they are not Shows they are not Romans anymoreRomans anymore

Decline and FallDecline and Fall

►Constantinople was vibrant, and alone. Constantinople was vibrant, and alone. Surrounded by enemies- chipping away at Surrounded by enemies- chipping away at their territory.their territory.

►Biggest threat came from new religion- Biggest threat came from new religion- Islam, which began sweeping through the Islam, which began sweeping through the area around 700.area around 700.

►They fight and fight, but each war takes They fight and fight, but each war takes resources and manpower. (Crusades)resources and manpower. (Crusades)

►Finally overwhelmed by Ottoman Turks Finally overwhelmed by Ottoman Turks 14531453

Decline and FallDecline and Fall

Why is this important?Why is this important?

►Preserve and continue the cultures of Preserve and continue the cultures of Greece and Rome. That way, when Greece and Rome. That way, when Europe is ready, they can rediscover Europe is ready, they can rediscover their lost heritage.their lost heritage.

►Provide a bridge between Europe and Provide a bridge between Europe and Asia- open to and interested in many Asia- open to and interested in many things- pass them on to others.things- pass them on to others.