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Byzantine Empire
The Roman Empire Divided in 294
Constantine’s City--Constantinopole
Barbarian Invasions of the Roman Empire
Constantinople: A Greek City
(Istanbul Today)
Sunset on the “Golden Horn”
Emperor Justinian [r. 527-564]
Empress Theodora
Justinian’s Empire at its Peak
Church of Hagia Sophia [Holy Wisdom]
Interior of the Church of Hagia Sophia
Byzantine & Persian Empires, 6c
6c
Arabia:
?
A Threat
to the
Great
Empires ?
Justinian and Theodora
• Reclaimed much of the former Roman Empire.
– Including Rome itself.
• Formed a Legal Code.
– Code of Justinian cleaned up and reorganized Roman
laws.
• Nika Riots
– 1 week riots erupting from a chariot race.
• It was Theodora’s suggestion for a strong response which
probably saved the Empire.
Iconoclasm
• Iconoclasm is the deliberate destruction
within a culture of the culture's own
religious icons.
• Started with Leo III and dominated
Byzantine Politics during the 8th century.
1054 Schism between Eastern
and Western Church.
Rome over Constantinople Pope?
– What about: Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria
• Disputes over other things:
– Leaven vs. unleavened bread
• Unclean
– Holy Trinity---different ideas about what it means!
• 1054-Both Religious Leaders excommunicated
the other.
Basil II AKA the “Bulgar Slayer”
• In the 10th & early 11th century, Basil II recharged
the empire (which had been slumping.)
• His major triumph was against the Bulgars.
– He CRUSHED THE Bulgar army and sent a major
message.
• He blinded 99 of every 100 soldiers of the capture Bulgar
army. The 1 was suppose to lead back to the Bulgar Empire.
(legend says the Bulgar Emperor had a stroke at the sight of
his returning army).
Rus
and Basil II
• Byzantines sold the ideas of the Eastern
Church to the Russians.
– Prince Vladimir of Kiev
•
•
•
•
Judaism—lost Jerusalem
Islam—no alcohol or pork
Christianity---no beauty in west.
Festival at Constantinople convinced his reps.
The 1st Crusade
• The 1st Crusade (which we will discuss in
greater detail later) was a major shaper of
Byzantine history.
– Byzantine Emperor called for assistance from the
west against the Muslim/Turks armies within and just
outside empire.
• Instead, of a few hundred knights, Alexius got
thousands of peasants, knights, and priests.
– All thanks to Pope Urban II prep talk in 1095
4th Crusade 1201-1204
• Another call to reclaim Holy Land.
– Instead, ended with the looting of
Constantinople, the removal of the Greek
emperor, and the instillation of Latin Emperor.
• Greeks would reclaim power in 1261, but
the split between the eastern and western
church was complete.
Fall of the Constantinople
• 1453 Constantinople fell to the Ottoman
Turks.
– Turks led by Mehmet II.
• Siege lasted 2 months. Last Emperor, Constantine
XI, was never found.
• Constantinople became Istanbul.
Other fun Byzantine Facts!!
• Greek Fire
– Napalm like weapon, which was Byzantine
secret weapon.
– At its height, Byzantines organized Empire
into 10 provinces with a general for order and
security: called Themes.