Transcript Byzantine Empire

This is a photo of present-day Istanbul,
Turkey, which was formerly
Constantinople, the capital city o the
Byzantine Empire.
The Byzantine Empire grew out of the
fading Roman Empire. In the 4th
century A.D., the western half of the
Roman Empire had been weakened by
barbarian invasions.
At the same time, Christianity was a growing force and Constantine the
Great became the first Christian emperor of Rome.
The eastern portion of the Empire had a longer tradition of absolutism
(obeying a single ruler) and monotheism (worshiping a single God) than
did the West, so Constantine decided to consolidate his rule by moving
the capital eastward. He chose the Greek seaport of Byzantium and
renamed it New Rome, but it was known as his city: Constantinople.
Constantine chose the new capital for its fine harbor and strategic locale.
The city was surrounded on three sides by water, which was excellent for
trade, as well as for defense.
Since Constantinople began as the eastern capital of the Roman
Empire, Byzantine culture was heavily influenced by the Roman Empire.
The city was modeled after Rome. It was built on seven hills and
divided into 14 districts.
The Byzantine empire retained but relaxed many of the roman Empire’s
rules and customs. Extravagant circuses and chariot races continued on
Constantinople, along with such traditions as the emperor's distribution
of bread to the citizens.
The army followed
Roman military
traditions. Some of
Rome’s class-based
standards of
punishment and dress
for the rich and poor
remained but some
mobility later became
possible.
The one major difference between Constantinople and Rome was that
from its inception Constantinople was a Christian city.
The Byzantine Empire was bridge between ancient and modern Europe.
Christianity, Roman customs, and Greek classical culture all survived,
blended, and flourished in the Empire.
The Byzantine Empire’s sixteenth and most ambitious ruler was the
Emperor Justinian I. He ascended the throne at age 45. He was very
devout, determined, and even stubborn. Rather than allow problems to
develop, he took steps to prevent them. He was an ambitious military
leader, and he funded his military ventures by taxing the people heavily.
Like all Byzantine emperors, he was the
absolute head of both the Christian church and
the state. The throne was built wide enough to
seat two---thus symbolizing the emperor’s
partnership with Jesus.
The codification of 400 years’ worth of Roman law was one of Justinian’s
major accomplishments. He appointed a group of 10 men to collect and
organize the laws made and used by all the emperors before him. As a
result, the laws were revised and new legal code called the Body of Civil
Law was created. It was also known as the Code of Justinian.
Justinian also built new bridges, churches, monasteries, forums, forts,
and roads. His stonemasons, architects, and planners were also
responsible for building hospitals, public baths, recreation centers, a law
library, and a seaside park filled with statues.
Justinian’s wife, the Empress Theodora, was remarkable and influential.
She equaled and sometimes surpassed her husband in political skill and
wisdom. She is credited for saving the empire.