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Justinian and the Byzantine Empire
SSWH4 Analyze the importance of Justinian; include the influence of the
Empress Theodora, Justinian’s Code, and Justinian’s efforts to recapture the west.
5th century, Eastern Roman empire was centered around Constantinople
Justinian became emperor in 527/ determined to reestablish the Roman empire in the Mediterranean/ reached his goals by 552
Reign of Justinian
Constantinople
Largest city in Europe in the Middle Ages Based on trade until the 12th century/
Europe’s greatest center of Commerce During Justinian’s reign, silkworms were
smuggled from China to begin a silk industry
Hagia Sophia = church of Holy Wisdom Hippodrome = arena where gladiator
fights & chariot races were held
Life in Constantinople
Justinian and Theodora
Justinian ruled as an autocrat with the help of Theodora. Created a huge Christian empire
Empire reached its greatest size
Autocrat – ruler who has complete authority
Justinian and Theodora
Built Hagia Sophia Rebuilt the
Hippodrome
Justinian and Theodora
Justinian created the Body of Civil Law = code of Roman laws that was the basis of imperial law in Eastern Roman empire until its end in 1453
Aka Justinian’s Code
Justinian’s Code of Laws
Laws were fairer to women. They could own property and raise their own children after their husbands died.
Children allowed to choose their own marriage partners.
Slavery was legal and slaves must obey their masters.
Punishments were detailed and fit the crime His work inspired the modern concept and,
indeed, the very spelling of "justice".
Emperor Justinian
Justinian’s conquest left Eastern Roman empire with too much land to protect far from Constantinople
Arab Muslims were the biggest threat to Eastern Roman Empire
Islamic forces defeated an army of Eastern Roman at Yarmuk in 636 & lost Syria & Palestine
679, Bulgars defeated the Eastern Roman empire & took possession of the lower Danube Valley
8th century, Eastern Roman empire was much smaller (Asia minor & eastern Balkans)
Beginning of Byzantine Empire
Both a Greek & Christian state Greek replaced Latin as the official
language Christian church became known as
Eastern Orthodox Church Byzantine emperor controlled the church
& the state Emperor appointed the head of the
church Government & religious officials were all
bound together in the service of a spiritual ideal
Byzantine Empire
Macedonians ruled the Byzantine Empire from 876-1081
Macedonians expanded the empire Expanded trade relations w/ Western
Europe Late 11th century = lot of political & social
disorder
Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Art: Mosaicsand Illuminated Manuscripts
Hagia Sophia
The End of the Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine empire drew to a close in 1453 when forces from the Muslim Ottoman Empire surrounded and conquered Constantinople.
The ancient Christian city was renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.