The Byzantine Empire

Today’s Title: Right there^

Today’s EQ: Why did the Byzantine Empire survive
while other parts of the Roman Empire did not?
Where did the Byzantine Empire come from?

As we know, The Roman empire, divided in the late AD200’s,

due to being weakened by internal and external forces.

We studied in depth, the reasons why the Roman Empire fell.

While the western half of the old Roman Empire was going
through Dark Ages full of unrest and invaders, power shifted to
the eastern half of the Roman Empire which remained
successful (but under a different name… the Byzantine
Empire!).

West falls East lives on

Geography:
• The city of Constantinople, was surrounded by water on
3 sides.
• Located on a strait connecting Black Sea and
Mediterranean
• From its central location, the city controlled key trade
routes that liked Europe and Asia. As we know, trade is
key for an empire’s economy!
• Still thought of themselves as the Roman Empire

• Official language would switch from Latin to Greek

• Very rich and wealthy empire

By 330, the emperor Constantine, had built a new capital city in

Constantinople on the site of the Greek city Byzantium. The Byzantine
empire arose from this site.
• His mission was to oversee the development of Christian faith within that
empire (called it his divine right)
• Later, he fought and defeated Licinus to become the only emperor of
Rome
• One of the first things he did when he
became the sole emperor was to abandon
Rome (located on the West) and build a new
capital city- located on the East (Byzantium)
Constantine:
Was important because he was the first Christian emperor
and urged others to convert to Christianity as well!

• After Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, he:

– Made state funds go to churches
– He made priests and other leaders exempt from certain public
services
– Enacted laws to restrict pagan worship and encourage people to
convert to Christianity
• Being a Christian became a big help if you wanted to move up
the ranks of government
– made Sunday a legal holiday
• Included Christian holy days like Christmas and Easter on the
official calendar
– Allowed the use of violence against those Christian people and
churches he considered unorthodox
At its height, the Byzantine empire covered an area
from Rome through southeastern Europe and Asia
Minor, down to Egypt and across North Africa.

Capital:
Constantinople
The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor
Justinian. Justinian took power in 527 AD and was a
autocratic ruler, or single ruler with complete authority.

•Not popular at start of his rule

•High taxes

•Cold, not very likeable

 Government and Laws
Emperor Justinian became known for his collection of ancient
laws known as Justinian’s Code. This written set of laws
became the basis for today’s international laws and helped
improve and preserve Roman laws.
Architecture:
In the area of architecture, Justinian blended Greek, Roman,
Persian and Middle Eastern styles. The best known structure
is the Church of Hagia Sophia whose name means “Holy
Wisdom”

Outside Inside
 Culture and Religion
• Cultural Tradition from Greeks
• Religion Based Culture
– Christianity center of Byzantine art, education, and life
• Byzantine Empire brings drastic Change for Christianity

• Rome no longer important city to the Byzantine people and

rulers

• Lack of Contact between Pope in Rome, and the papacy in the

East
– Breakdown in authority over the church
 Religion Continued
Religion in East controlled by ruling emperor and
Patriarch
***Patriarch is a term for Lead Bishop in the East

Byzantine Emperors (government leaders) and

Patriarchs often conflict with Pope (church leader)
For example: Pope claimed an Emperor had no religious
authority to deal in issues of the Christian church
• The emperor in response, claimed authority over religious
decisions within his empire
• Byzantines viewed Emperor as the decisive voice in Christian
governance, and practice
The Great Schism
• Issues continue between papacy in east and
west over issues such as:
– Pope’s authority over all matters of
Christianity
– Church’s right to tax the citizens of the
Byzantine empire
– Priest’s right to get married
– Languages used in church services
The Great Schism

• 1054 AD the Christian Church Splits

– The patriarch and Pope excommunicate
each other
– Papacy in eastern Byzantine empire forms
the Eastern Orthodox church
– Pope and western Byzantine empire
churches remain the Roman catholic
church
The two Churches

Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox

• Services Conducted in • Services Conducted in
Latin Greek
• Pope has authority • Patriarch and other
over all bishops bishops head the
• Pope has authority church
over all kings and • Emperor has authority
emperors over Patriarch
• Priests can not marry • Priests can marry
Decline
• The decline of the Byzantine empire came with the onset
of invading armies.
• The final blow came at the hands of the Ottoman empire in
1453.
Other factors:
• Black plague hit Empire during Emperor Justinian rein
around 540 AD. This killed large percentage of population

From the Start of the Empire it was under constant attack

Over time Empire lost more and more territory
 Song
• Constantine (tune of Come on Eileen)
In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great
contributions. Icons were images of Jesus, the Virgin
Mary and others. These icons were supposed the
create the sense that the holy person was actually
present.
Byzantine artists also developed Mosaics, pictures or
designs formed by inlaid pieces of stone or other
materials. Mosaics often displayed religious themes.
 Think Boxes

Why are empires similar, even if they are far

apart (Think Roman, Mayan, Aztec,
Byzantine, etc.)

Why did the Byzantine Empire survive while

other parts of the Roman Empire did not?