Name
Date
Lesson 2: The Greatness of the
Byzantine Empire
Lesson 2 Summary
Use with pages 326–328.
Vocabulary
cathedral a large important Christian church
icon a picture or an image of Jesus and the saints
The Glorious Church
In 527 Justinian became the emperor of the
Byzantine Empire. He wanted to rebuild the
Roman Empire and rule it as a whole. In order
to do this, he paid the Persians to stop attacking
western Asia. He also expanded the Empire.
He took over North Africa, Italy, part of Spain,
and some islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
Theodora was Justinian’s wife and political
advisor. When Constantinople was attacked in
532, Theodora told Justinian to stay and defend
the city. The Byzantine Empire was at its
greatest during Justinian’s rule. He rebuilt the
magnificent Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.
The Hagia Sophia was a cathedral, or a large
important Christian church. Justinian also
helped bring about the Justinian Code. The
Justinian Code was based on Roman laws.
This code organized the Roman laws and made
them more clear. The Justinian Code helped the
Empire’s government to run fairly and smoothly.
Under Justinian’s rule many new harbors,
aqueducts, and buildings were built. Many
cathedrals also were built. The greatest
cathedral in the empire was the Hagia Sophia.
Byzantine emperors and the church had close
ties. The Byzantine, or Eastern, Orthodox
Church was the main church. It ran political
and cultural life. Justinian believed that he was
chosen by God to run the Empire. The church
also believed this and protected him. In about
1000 the Empire weakened. In 1054 the
Christian church split in two. One reason it
split was because Christians disagreed over
how religious icons should be used. A
religious icon is a picture or an image of Jesus
and the saints. The Roman Catholic Church
and the Byzantine Orthodox Church were two
separate churches after 1054.
© Scott Foresman 6
Byzantine Glory
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Unit 5, Chapter 11, Lesson 2 Summary
Quick Study
Name
Date
Lesson 2 Review
Use with pages 326–328.
Lesson 2: Review
1.
Sequence The following events are not in the correct order. List them in their correct
chronological order.
The Hagia Sophia was built in Constantinople.
Justinian added Italy to the Byzantine Empire.
Theodora encouraged Justinian to defend Constantinople.
2. What was the significance of the Hagia Sophia to the Byzantine Empire?
3. Who were Justinian and Theodora?
4. What are icons and what were their significance in the Byzantine Orthodox Church?
© Scott Foresman 6
5. Critical Thinking: Fact or Opinion Justinian built the Hagia Sophia to keep close ties
with the Christian church.
Quick Study
Unit 5, Chapter 11, Lesson 2 Review
77