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TRANSCRIPT
Outline of the Roman Empire
After conquering Etruscans: From around 300
BCE, Rome began to grow in political
importance.
Within 300 Years it had unified the whole
Mediterranean into one empire.
Intellectually, Rome was dominated by Greece,
but its genius was in statecraft and law.
Will go from Republic – to Empire – to 2
Empires – then will Fall @ 476 C.E.
Terms/People to know for Quiz
Constantine
Constantinople
New Rome
Justinian
Theodora
Justinian’s Code
Justinian’s
Plague
Hagia Sophia
The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the old Roman Empire.
Long after Rome fell (476 A.D.) under the Germanic invaders, Byzantium continued in Constantinople.
Byzantine, Russian, and Turkish cultures develop, while Christian and Islamic societies fight over religious issues and territory.
The Byzantine Empire lasted over 1000 years, from the 400s until the Empire’s fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.
One outstanding emperor was
Justinian and he ruled from 527–
565 A.D..
His reign saw great Byzantine
expansion across North Africa,
Sicily, Italy, and even southern
Spain.
He wanted to restore the empire
to its former Roman glory.
His reign was one of the last that
still used Latin as the official royal
language.
Greek became the new language.
New Laws for the Empire
Justinian seeks to revise and update laws for governing the empire
Justinian Code—new set of laws consisting of four main parts
Code regulates much of Byzantine life; lasts for 900 years
Creating the Imperial Capital
Justinian launches program to beautify capital, Constantinople
Byzantines preserve Greco-Roman culture and learning
Constructs new buildings; builds magnificent church, Hagia Sophia
Justinian oversaw the construction of a great church in the city that would to be the shining example of Byzantine architecture.
Built the Church of the Hagia Sophia.
(Hagia Sophia translates from the Greek as Holy Wisdom.)
(The building measures 250 feet by 235 feet and features a great dome measuring 107 feet across and peaking at a height of 185 feet.
The building took five years to complete with 10,000 men working on it. Inside, the great church was adorned with marble, elaborate columns, intricate mosaics, and gold.)
Mosaic depicting Justinian (left) presenting model of church of Hagia Sophia to
the Virgin Mary. Constantine to the right presents her with a model of
Constantinople
Constantinople’s Hectic Pace
City becomes trading hub with major marketplace
Giant Hippodrome offers chariot races and other entertainment
Racing fans start riots in 532; government restores order violently
Empress Theodora—powerful wife and adviser to Justinian
Years of Turmoil
Justinian dies in 565; empire faces many crises after his death
The Plague of Justinian
Bubonic plague repeatedly sweeps empire; kills many residents
Attacks from East and West
Byzantium faces attacks from many different groups
Empire survives through bribery, diplomacy, and military power
Constantinople falls in 1453; brings an end to Byzantine Empire
A Religious Split
Christianity develops differently in Eastern and Western Roman Empires
Two churches disagree over many issues, including use of icons
Icons are religious images used to aid in prayer
Leading bishop of Eastern Christianity known as patriarch
In the West, pope excommunicated emperor— banished him from the Church
A Religious Split
Pope and patriarch excommunicate each other over religious
doctrines
Eastern and Western churches officially split in 1054
West—Roman Catholic Church; East—Orthodox Church
Byzantine Missionaries Convert the Slavs
Eastern Orthodox missionaries seek to convert northern peoples,
Slavs
Missionaries create Cyrillic alphabet—basis of many Slavic
languages
Alphabet enables many groups to read the Bible