JUST THE FACTS: JUSTINIAN
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Occupation: Emperor of Byzantine Empire
Born: 482 in Macedonia
Died: 565 in Constantinople
Reign: 527 – 565
Best known for: Justinian Code of Law
Read more at: http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages/justinian_i.php
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JUSTINIAN LOOKS TO THE PAST
• In 527 A.D. Justinian I began to
plan ways to make the
Byzantine Empire as great as
the Roman Empire had been in
the past.
• With a strong army, he
conquered many lands that
Rome had lost
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Justinian’s Accomplishments
Public Works
•Public works
• Definition: construction
projects built by a government
for public use, such as
buildings, roads, and bridges.
• Justinian built many bridges,
public baths, roads, and
hospitals to rebuild
Constantinople after the riots.
THINK/ PAIR/ SHARE
•A’s tell B’s the definition of “public works.”
•B’s tell A’s the definition of “public works.”
Justinian’s Accomplishments continued….
•Justinian built a great number
of Orthodox Churches.
•The most famous of these was
the Hagia Sophia, which
meant, “Holy Wisdom.”
THINK ABOUT IT…
What were some of the improvements made to Constantinople
as a result of Justinian’s public works projects?
A. Hospitals, public baths, roads, churches
B. Electric lighting
C.Building of the hippodrome for chariot races.
THINK ABOUT IT…
What were some of the improvements made to Constantinople
as a result of Justinian’s public works projects?
A. Hospitals, public baths, roads, churches
B. Electric lighting
C.Building of the hippodrome for chariot races.
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.
• Many of the laws in Justinian’s code reflect the point of view
of his wife, Theodora.
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EMPRESS THEODORA
• Theodora encouraged her husband to make new
laws that were fairer to women.
–Laws allowing parents to leave property to daughters
–Laws improving women’s rights
–Innocent until proven guilty
• Theodora assisted her husband in choosing government
leaders.
• She believed jobs should be given based on ability and not
social class.
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THINK ABOUT IT…
How has Justinian’s Code affected the modern world?
A.
B.
C.
It hasn’t affected us at all.
We base many of our laws on Justinian’s Code.
We use it as an example of how criminals should be treated.
THINK ABOUT IT…
How has Justinian’s Code affected the modern world?
A.
B.
C.
It hasn’t affected us at all.
We base many of our laws on Justinian’s Code.
We use it as an example of how criminals should be treated.
One of Justinian’s
greatest
accomplishments the construction of
the beautiful
Cathedral of the
Holy Wisdom ~
Hagia
Sophia
HAGIA SOPHIA
• Built during Justinian’s reign. Took 5-6 years to build
• Known as the “Church of Holy Wisdom”
• When Constantinople fell to the Turks, Hagia Sophia became a mosque;
now it is a museum
• Plain exterior symbolizes earthly life
• Ornate interior symbolizes spiritual universe
• Cathedral’s size, thick pillars, and enclosed space show roman
influence.
• Intricate and ornate design shows eastern influences
Byzantine
architects
invented the
pendentives
which connected
the round base of
a dome to a
square building.
Mosaics with gold-covered stones added more
light to the huge interior of Hagia Sofia.
INTERESTING FACTS: Just because
• He introduced new laws that protected both slaves and
women.
• There was a horrible plague in Constantinople during the
540s. Justinian got sick, but managed to recover.
• He was the last Roman emperor to speak Latin.
Read more at: http://www.Ducksters.Com/history/middle_ages/justinian_i.Php
this text is copyright © ducksters. Do not use without permission.
Byzantine Empire: Justinian and
Theodora - II: The Reforms of Justinian Extra History
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