Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire

The Bridge Between

Two Worlds

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- I will be able to identify causes and effects of

important turning points in history from 600 to 1450.

- I will be able to explain the impact of the fall of Rome

on Western Europe

A Brief Introduction

-The Byzantine Empire influenced

many cultures, primarily due to its

role in shaping Christian Orthodoxy.

The modern-day Eastern Orthodox

Church is the second largest

Christian church in the world.

Orthodoxy is central to the history

and societies of Greece, Bulgaria,

Russia, Serbia, and other countries.

Geographical Extent

Location, Location, Location

●Constantinople was the center of
Byzantine trade & culture; was
incredibly diverse.

●The Byzantine Empire had an
important cultural legacy, both on
the Orthodox Church & on the
revival of Greek & Roman studies,
which influenced the Renaissance.

Multiple Choice

Why was Constantinople a great site for a capital?

• The site was easy to defend as a Peninsula

• It was a walled city

• It was a crossroads of East and West trade routes

• All of the Above

Significance of Constantinople

As the center of the Byzantine Empire,
Constantinople contained vast wealth
and allowed the emperor to lead the
Eastern territories from a close, central
position. It was also the site of great
works of architecture and culture.

Historical Overview

People living under the early Byzantine
Empire saw themselves as Romans, but
the culture of the empire changed over
the centuries. As it incorporated Greek
and Christian culture, it transformed into
a unique Byzantine culture.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a major contribution of the Byzantine Empire?

• The return of the Roman Empire

• the establishment of democracy and the end of totalitarian rule

• the unification of Christian leaders across Euraisian Continent

• The continuation and expansion of various aspects of Roman and Greek culture

Historical Overview

Additionally, the Byzantine Empire was
influenced by Latin, Coptic, Armenian,
and Persian cultures. Later on, it was
influenced by Islamic cultures as well.

Leadership

JUSTINIAN I

●Comprehensive legal reform known as
"Justinian's Code,"

○laid the foundation for modern legal
systems & preserved Roman law.

●Architectural legacy

○the construction of Hagia Sophia in
Constantinople, a masterpiece of
Byzantine architecture

●His attempts to reunify the Roman Empire

○although short-lived, reflect his
ambition & influence in the medieval
world.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the BEST example of the lasting impact of the Roman Empire?

• The Pope continues to serve as the leader of Rome

• Roman Law remains the foundation of most European legal codes

• Many buildings constructed during the height of the empire still stand

• The Greek language is still spoken in many territories

Multiple Choice

In which of the following areas did the Byzantine Empire represent continuity with the Old Roman Empire?

• Law and Administration

• Pagan religious beliefs

• art and achitecture

• geographic center

Leadership

THEODORA

●Influence on Byzantine politics & her advocacy

for women's rights.

○One major achievement is her role in

championing the rights of women,

●Her resilience and wisdom during the Nika

Revolt of 532 CE

○she convinced Justinian not to flee the city,

further showcase her significant influence

on the fate of the Byzantine Empire.

Leadership

CONSTANTINE

●Edict of Milan (313 CE)

○Granted religious tolerance to Christians in the
Roman Empire, effectively ending persecution.
This edict allowed Christians to openly practice
their faith without fear of persecution.

●Foundation of Constantinople

○Constantine founded the city of Constantinople
(modern-day Istanbul) in 330 CE, which later
became the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Its
strategic location as a bridge between Europe and
Asia played a crucial role in the empire's history.

●Conversion to Christianity

○He convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE,
leading to the Nicene Creed, which defined key
aspects of Christian doctrine and orthodoxy. His
role in shaping the early Christian church was
significant.

POP QUIZ…

Match

Match the Leader to their Achievment

• Theodora

• Alexander the Great

• Constantine

• Hammurabi

• Justinian

Advocate for Women's Rights

Expanded the Greek Empire

Issued the Edict of Milan in 313

Worlds 1st law codes

Responsible for Byzantine Law

• Advocate for Women's Rights

• Expanded the Greek Empire

• Issued the Edict of Milan in 313

• Worlds 1st law codes

• Responsible for Byzantine Law

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE
BYZANTINE EMPIRE

HAGIA SOPHIA

●Architectural Marvel

○originally constructed by the orders of Emperor Justinian I in 537 CE

○a testament to Byzantine engineering & architectural genius

○features a massive dome, which was an architectural innovation of the time

●Religious Significance

○Hagia Sophia served as the primary cathedral of the Eastern Orthodox Church for almost a
millennium & it represents the fusion of art, spirituality, and politics in the Byzantine Empire.

●Cultural Transformation

○Over the centuries, Hagia Sophia experienced various transformations, serving as a mosque
under Ottoman rule & later becoming a museum. In 2020, it was converted back into a
mosque, sparking global debates about its cultural & religious importance.

Multiple Choice

What is the name of this Byzantine domed structure that originally served as a church?

• Dome of the Rock

• Panthenon

• Hagia Sophia

• Parthenon

Multiple Choice

The fact the Emperor Justinian built the Hagia Sophia shows the Byzantine Empire had a strong connection between...

• None

• The Church and Military

• The Emperor and State

• The Church and State

JUSTINIAN’S CODE

●Legal Foundation

○officially known as the "Corpus Juris Civilis," was a comprehensive legal code compiled during
the reign of Emperor Justinian I. It served as a legal foundation for the Byzantine Empire and
later influenced many legal systems, including those of modern Europe.

●Inclusivity and Clarity

○The code was created to simplify & organize the complex & often contradictory Roman laws,
making them more accessible to legal professionals AND citizens.

○Represented a major step towards ensuring equal treatment under the law.

●Enduring Influence

○Justinian's Code's enduring legacy is in its influence on legal principles such as civil law, due
process, & the presumption of innocence. It remains a significant historical & legal document
that shaped legal thinking for centuries.

Cultural Contributions

●

Byzantine Art and Architecture

●

Preservation of Classical Knowledge

●

Byzantine Mosaics

●

Byzantine Music

●

Byzantine Literature

Religious Contributions

●

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

●

Religious Iconography

●

Church Architecture

●

Theological Works

●

Liturgical Practices

FALL OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

Reasons for the Fall

INTERNAL FACTORS

1)

Political Instability

2)

Economic Decline

3)

Social Unrest and Plague

EXTERNAL FACTORS

1)

Ottoman Turk Invasions

2)

Conflict w/ Neighboring Empires

3)

Loss of Territory

Fall of Constantinople

●Fell in 1453 to the Ottoman Turks

○Led by Mehmed the Conqueror

●The fall of Constantinople marked
the end of the empire’s
thousand-year history

●The Ottomans breached the city's
defenses, bringing an end to
Byzantine rule and inaugurating the
era of the Ottoman Empire.

Multiple Choice

Who conquered the Byzantine Empire?

• The Ottomans

• The Franks

• The Vikings

• The Chinese

SUMMARY

●The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the eastern
continuation of the Roman Empire, with its capital at Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul,
Turkey).

●It endured for nearly a thousand years, characterized by a blend of Roman, Greek, & Christian
cultures, and was a bridge between the ancient & medieval worlds.

●Key contributions:

○the development of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, preservation of classical knowledge,
and advancements in art and architecture, such as the Hagia Sophia.

●Emperors Justinian I and Theodora played significant roles, with Justinian's legal code &
Theodora's advocacy for women's rights and social reforms leaving a lasting legacy.

●External factors, including Ottoman Turk invasions and territorial losses, ultimately led to
the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 when Constantinople was conquered.

●The Byzantine Empire had a profound influence on the development of European civilization,
particularly in the fields of law, religion, & art.

Multiple Choice

Which groups had the most influence on the government, culture and beliefs of the Byzantine Empire? 

• Arians, Huns, & Vandals

• Muslims & Persians

• Jews & Visgoths

• Romans, Greeks, & Christians

Multiple Choice

Who overran Constantinople and ended the Byzantine Empire in 1453? 

• Christian Crusaders

• Seljuk Turks

• Mongols

• Ottoman Turks