Transcript Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire
History of Constantinople
 Byzantium
 Rome divided
 Founded by
Constantine, in
330 AD
 Divine order or
strategic
location?
 Western Rome
declined, then
collapsed
 Constantinople
took its place
Geography of Constantinople
 “Golden Horn”
 Harbor
 Controlled
Bosporus Strait
 Surrounded by
water
 Access to Black &
Mediterranean Seas
 Trade crossroad
between Europe &
Asia
Constantinople = “New Rome”
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Rulers saw
themselves as
Roman
1000 years after
Rome “fell”
Constantinople
flourished
Carried on “glory of
Rome”
Center for:
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Law
History
Architecture
Classical
scholarship
Constantinople compared w/ Rome
 Byzantine culture
influenced by Rome
 City modeled on
Rome
 Built on seven hills
 Buildings/structures
reflected Roman
influence
 Stronger tradition of
absolutism &
monotheism
Arches & Columns
Constantinople vs. Rome
Retained but relaxed many of Roman rules & customs
Bread & Circuses continued
Army followed Roman traditions
Class-based standards of punishment
Different dress for rich & poor
Some mobility in social hierarchy
Emperors chose officials based on merit not
hereditary social class
 Byzantine Senate not as rigid & powerful as Rome
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Constantinople: Heir to Rome
 Bridge between ancient &
modern Europe
 Christianity, Roman customs,
Greek classical culture all
survived, blended, flourished
 preserved Ancient Greek
literature & philosophy
 Greek was official languagerequired for citizenship
 Preserved/codified Roman
legal traditions
Who was Justinian?
 527 -565 AD
 Classical education-law,
music, architecture,
theology
 Devout, stubborn
 Ambitious, military
leader
 Wanted to regain lost
Roman territory
 Taxed the people
heavily
Justinian = “New Caesar?
 Regained Roman
lands
 Political &
Religious Leader
 Absolute Rulebrutal
 Chose people
based on ability
not wealth
 Appointed &
dismissed bishops
Justinian
 Throne was built
large enough for
two
 Symbolized the
Emperor’s
partnership with
Jesus
 Leader of all
military, made
laws, headed
the government
& church, was
supreme judge
Primary Source
 “For he was … villainous
and … a moron. He was
never truthful … easily
hoodwinked by any who
wanted to deceive him.
His nature was an
unnatural mixture of
folly and wickedness.”
 Procopius
[c.490/510c.560s]
What were Justinian’s Contributions
to Law and Public Works?
 Many construction
projects-churches,
bridges, roads,
monasteries,
forums, forts
 Most famousChurch of Holy
Wisdom-Hagia
Sophia
Life in “New Rome”
 Christian
 Roman
tradition but
unique
 Spoke Greek
not Latin
 Wealthy
 Trade and
commerce
flourished
Justinian’s Code
 Reformed old Roman Law
 Four Parts:
 The Code- Roman Laws that were still
useful
 The Digest- quoted and summarized
opinions of Rome’s greatest legal
thinkers
 The Institutes- textbook that instructed
students on how to use the law
 The Novellae- New laws after 534 AD
Justinian’s Code
 Combined Greek &
Roman legal
traditions
 Process took six
years
 Inspired the word
“justice”
Justian’s Code
 Regulated
marriage,
slavery,
property,
inheritance,
women’s rights
and criminal
justice
 Served the
empire for 900
years
 Influenced
European and
American law
Justinian’s Code American Laws
Women’s Rights
Robbery
Failure to
Pay Debts
Murder
Inheritance
The Imperial Capital
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Rebuilt
fortifications
14-mile stone
wall along the
coastline
Many Churches
Enlarged
palace
Baths
Aqueducts
Law courts
Schools
Hospitals
Preservation of Greco-Roman
Culture
Classical learning
Greek
Latin
Philosophy
Literature - Homer
Euclid - geometry
Herodotus –
history
 Galen - medicine
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Hagia Sophia: Then
Hagia Sophia: Now
Hagia Sophia
 Over 12,000
workers to
complete
 Major feature was
its huge dome set
on top of a
rectangular base
 Very ornate,
mosaics
Hippodrome
Theodora
 Advanced her friends,
destroyed her enemies
 Justinian changed
marriage laws to marry
her
 Social welfare programs
for poor and homeless
girls
 Expanded women’s
rights-convinced
Justinian that women
should own land
 Helped save the empire
during the Nika Revolt of
AD 532
Theodora
 Justinian’s wife
 Intelligent,
adventurous,
influential, wise &
politically savvy
 Born into lower
classes
 Father was the
bear-keeper for
the circus
 Dancer/actress
courtesan
What was the “Nika” Rebellion
 Horse racing
fans sparked
citywide riots
against
government
 Justinian’s
troops
slaughtered
30,000 rebels
in Hippodrome
 Justinian
wanted to flee,
Theodora said…
Theodora said…
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"My opinion then is that the present time, above all others,
is inopportune for flight, even though it bring safety. . . .
For one who has been an emperor it is unendurable to be a
fugitive. May I never be separated from this purple, and
may I not live that day on which those who meet me shall
not address me as mistress. If, now, it is your wish to save
yourself, O Emperor, there is no difficulty. For we have
much money, and there is the sea, here the boats. However
consider whether it will not come about after you have been
saved that you would gladly exchange that safety for death.
For as for myself, I approve a certain ancient saying that
royalty is a good burial-shroud." When the queen had
spoken thus, all were filled with boldness, and, turning their
thoughts towards resistance, they began to consider how
they might be able to defend themselves if any hostile force
should come against them. . .
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Procopius [c.490/510-c.560s]
Problems in The Empire
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Justinian died
Street riots
Religious quarrels
Palace intrigues
Foreign dangers
What was “Greek Fire”
 Developed by Navy
 Chemical mix-ignited
when it came into
contact with fire
 Secret weapon-exact
mixture still
unknown
 Similar to Napalm
The Plague
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Probably came from India via ships
Worst year was 542
10,000 people a day died
Re-emerged periodically