Chapter 11 Notes: The Byzantine Empire
Location of Constantinople
Constantinople provided political, economic, and military advantages
1. Protection from the eastern frontier
2. Distance from Germanic invasions in western empire
3. Easily fortified site on a peninsula bordering natural harbor
Role of Constantinople
Seat of the Byzantine Empire until Ottoman conquest
Preserved classical Greco-Roman culture
Center of trade
Byzantium
Emperors in the east had absolute power: headed church and state
Separate government & difficult communication with the west: few spoke Latin, most spoke
Greek
Justinian
Became head of entire Roman Empire, east & west in 533 A.D.
Re-conquest of former Roman territories
Under Justinian the Byzantine Empire reached its height in culture and prosperity
Theodora
Wife of Justinian and Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire
Had been an actress from the lower class
Was a great influence on Justinian and policies of state and church
Is credited with convincing Justinian not to flee during the “Nika” riot
Justinian Code
As the first to codify Roman law, Justinian provided the basis for the law codes of Western
Europe
Justinian code had four works
1. The “Code”: contained Roman laws
2. The “Digest”: quoted & summarized Roman legal thinkers
3. The “Institutes”: text that told how to use the law
4. The “Novellae” (New Laws): legislation after 534
Byzantine Achievements in Art and Architecture
Inspiration provided by Christian religion and imperial power
Close connection between church & state
Icons (religious images)
Mosaics in public and religious structures
The Hagia Sophia
“Holy Wisdom” in Greek
Byzantine domed church (domes dominated Byzantine culture)
Crowning glory of Justinian reign
Byzantine Culture
Byzantines valued education: sent children to public or monastic schools
Continued flourishing of Greco-Roman traditions
Greek language (as contrasted with Latin in the West)
Greek Orthodox Christianity
Greek and Roman knowledge preserved in Byzantine libraries
The Church Divides
The cultural and political differences between the eastern and western Roman empire
weakened the unity of the Christian Church and led to its division
Roman Catholic vs. Eastern Orthodox
Eastern Church
1. Centered in Constantinople
2. Close to seat of power after Constantinople became capital
3. Use of Greek language in liturgy
Western Church
1. Centered in Rome
2. Farther from the seat of power in Constantinople
3. Use of Latin in the liturgy
Controversy between Churches
Over the use of icons (religious images)
1. Emperor Leo III banned use of icons: idolatry
2. Pope in the west supported icons
Division between Eastern & Western Churches
1. Authority of the Pope eventually accepted in the West
2. Authority of the Patriarch accepted in the East
3. Practices such as celibacy eventually accepted in the West
Influence of Byzantine Culture on Eastern Europe and Russia
Influence through religion, culture, and trade
Trade routes between Black and Baltic Seas
Adoption of Orthodox Christianity by Russia & much of Eastern Europe
Adoption of Greek alphabet to the Slavic language by St. Cyrill (Cyrillic alphabet): could read
Bible in own language
Church architecture and religious art: Domes