Transcript Rome
Byzantium Becomes the New Rome SPLITS • Capital = Constantinople • Continued as the New ROME • Kings saw themselves to still be considered ROMAN emperors Byzantine Empire Constantinople • Survived because it was far away from the Germanic tribe invasions • It was the crossroads of trade so it was successful • Preserved GrecoRoman culture Justinian • Justinian was a serious emperor who worked from dawn to midnight • He helped rebuild and re-conquer Rome • Had ABSOLUTE POWER = controlled both government and church Strengths of the Empire Gov’t Officials – Skilled, efficient, well paid Diplomacy – Marriage alliances Military – Well trained, weapons, armor – “Greek fire” Strong, centralized government Justinian achievements. 1. Expanded the Empire to its maximum size. 2. His laws = basis for much of our modern day laws. 3. Helped strengthen the Empire. It would last 1000+ years. Greek Fire 9 Byzantine Under Justinian • He wanted a re-conquest of the Roman territories that were lost through Germanic invasions Justinian’s Accomplishments • Sent Best general Belisarius to take North Africa from the Vandals • 2 Years later Belisarius took Rome back from the Ostrogoths • Justinian won back nearly all the territory Rome used to rule. 13 Justinian Code • Justinian set up a panel of legal experts to look through 400 years of Roman law. –Some laws were outdated –Justinian wanted to create a single, uniform code • This became known as the Justinian Code that was used for 900 years after his death Justinian Code • Emperor Justinian chose ten men to review 1,600 books full of Roman Law (Twelve Tables) and create a simpler legal code. • These men were able to create the Justinian Code with just over 4,000 laws. The laws were recorded in four books. Justinian Code – Four books Code= useful Roman laws Digest=Roman legal opinions Institutes=guide for law students Novellae=laws after 534 – Theodora Urged husband to give women greater rights and fight during revolt. Justinian Expands Trade • The main street that ran through Constantinople was called the MESE which means “Middle Way” –It ran from the imperial palace to the outer walls Justinian Expands Trade • There was a giant open-air market where shoppers could buy –Tin from England –Wine from France –Cork from Spain –Ivory and gold from Africa Byzantium Preserves Learning • Families valued education –Sent children to monastic or public schools –Hired private tutors –Greek and Latin grammar, philosophy and rhetoric • They preserved Greek and Roman great works Justinian’s Building Program • Launched the most ambitious public building program the Roman world had ever seen. • City protected by a deep moat, and three walls that were 25 feet thick • City coast was surrounded by a 14-mile stone wall The Hagia Sophia • Justinians’ most splendid building • Christian church later taken by the Muslims