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Byzantine Empire
Geography, Rise of the Empire, and the Rule of
Justinian
Rise of the Byzantine Empire
 Began with the divide of the Roman Empire, East and the
West.
 The West collapsed and the East became the “New Rome”
called Byzantium.
 The Empire was founded by Constantine
Origins
 Byzantine culture got its name from
the ancient city of Byzantium, which
got its name to its mythical founder,
Byzas.
 A new city was built there in 330
C.E. by the Emperor Constantine,
who renamed the city
Constantinople
Beginnings of the Byzantine Empire
 Diocletian: Divided Rome into East/West
 Constantine:
 A.D. 313 Edict of Milan
 A.D. 325Council of Nicea
 Constantinople
 Theodosius: A.D. 380-Law that all Roman citizens must be
Christian.
Map of the Division of Rome
The Byzantine Empire at Large
Constantinople:
A Strategically Located City
• Surrounded on 3 sides by water:
– The Sea of Marmara
– The Black Sea
– The Bosporus
• The Dardanelles: straits, or narrow water passages, through
which ships can enter the Aegean Sea to the Mediterranean
Sea.
• Centre of trade between Asia and the West.
• Navy used Greek fire to defend ports.
Byzantine Economy
• The economy was centered on trade.
• Constantinople was entry way to the East.
• Greeks & Romans imported grains from the shores of the
Black Sea.
• Animal skins, furs, salt, wine, slaves, spices, precious gems,
silk passed through Constantinople.
• Large tax revenues collected from trade allowed for strong
military, bureaucracy and court.
Trade Routes
Byzantine Rule
 Byzantine rulers had absolute power.
 Unlike Western Romans-they were not worshipped as gods.
 Ruler was servant of God, but was chosen by God.
 Not hereditary, although in many cases it was passed from
father to son or daughter.
 As a symbol of this power, the portrait of the empress
appeared on the coins o the realm.
Rulers
 The emperors were called
basileu, or king of kings.
 The empire was divided into
two military districts.
 Each district was ruled by a general who
was directly responsible to the emperor.
 Soldiers fought for the emperor
and received the land on which
they lived as payment.
Emperor Justinian
 Tried to unite the Eastern & Western Roman Empires
 Failed to unite the two Empires but he was able to encourage
trade between them.
 He re-conquered North Africa, parts of Spain, Italy, Greece
and the Mediterranean Islands from the Barbarians.
 Codification of Roman Law.
Re-conquer Lost Lands
 Justinian took back the Roman territories that
were taken during the Germanic invasions.
 He sent out general Belisarius to take North
Africa from the Vandals.
 Two Years later Belisarius took Rome back from
the Ostrogoths.
 By the end of his conquests Justinian won back nearly
all the territory Rome used to rule.
Justinian Code: Corupus Iurus Civilis
Justinian’s Code
Lawyers organized & simplified Roman law.
 Four parts:
 The Code: All Roman laws since
Emperor Hadrian.
 The Digest: Laws of Roman Republic &
summary of opinions of Roman Lawyers.
 The Institutes: General textbook on law.
 The Novellea: Laws created by Justinian.
Written in Greek.
Theodora
 Theodora's acting career, evolved into a life as a prostitute.
 Theodora, empress of Byzantium from 527-548,the most
influential and powerful woman in the empire's history. Real
effect on political decisions.
 Lead reforms to for the rights of women.
Nika Revolt (Conquer)
• Took place on Jan. 11–17, 532.
• Began because of taxation, oppression by the
authorities, and the religious policies of that
persecuted heretics and pagans.
• Revolt threatened the aristocracy the emperor
was going to flee but was convince by his wife to
stay .
• The revolt was crushed 35,000 people were
killed
Youtube video on Justinian
 Justinian 1 part 1 (9:03)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpbvCF9Jj40