Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
Kingdoms and Christianity
Section 1
MAIN IDEA
The Byzantine Empire, once the eastern half of the Roman Empire, was held
together for centuries by strong leaders, profitable trade, and the influence of
Christianity.
Key Terms and People
Byzantine Empire the Eastern Roman Empire, the capital of which was Constantinople
Justinian I ruler of the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565 who dreamed of restoring the
original Roman Empire
Theodora wife of Emperor Justinian, who co-ruled the Byzantine Empire with him
Belisarius Emperor Justinian’s top general, recaptured Northern Africa and lands in Italy
mosaic pictures created with tiny colored tiles fitted together and cemented in place
icon paintings or sculptures of sacred figures
clergy church officials
Orthodox Church church in the east, after the schism in 1054
Taking Notes
As you read the summary, use a graphic organizer like the one below to
take notes on the Byzantine Empire’s emperors, culture, and decline.
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Kingdoms and Christianity
Section 1
Section Summary
EMPERORS RULE IN CONSTANTINOPLE
Roman Emperor Constantine I founded the city of
Constantinople in 395. Until 1453, it served as the
capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, which later
became known as the Byzantine Empire. The
location of Constantinople allowed it to control trade
between Asia and Europe. The city itself was wellfortified by heavy walls on one side and the sea.
The emperor Justinian I came to power in 527.
With his wife and co-ruler Theodora he tried to
restore the original Roman Empire. He sent his top
general Belisarius to recapture northern Africa, which
had been taken by the Vandals. Belisarius also
restored lands in Italy. Constantinople itself was
greatly damaged in 532 when two political groups
started a violent uprising called the Nika Revolt.
Afterward, the rulers rebuilt with city with grand new
monuments. During this time, the spectacular Hagia
Sophia (HAH-juh so-FEE-uh) was built. A spectacular
blend of domes and arches, the church still stands.
When Justinian came to power he codified, or
systematically arranged, existing laws and legal
opinions. It included all the existing constitutions
from the time of Emperor Hadrian. Later, the code
was revised and updated to include laws created by
Justinian himself. Together the revised law code is
called Justinian’s Code.
Under the reign of Heraclius the Persians, who had
been a constant threat on the empire’s eastern border,
were defeated. In the west, he allowed Croats and
Serbs to settle. Their borderland acted as buffers
against new invaders. The people were converted to
Christianity, which brought Byzantine influence into
the region, an influence that would last for centuries.
Why is the city of
Constantinople significant?
_______________________
_______________________
Circle two reasons
Constantinople had such a
strategic location.
What was Justinian’s
Code?
_______________________
_______________________
BYZANTINE CULTURE
Two institutions were central to Byzantine culture: the
emperor and Christianity. The emperor was a priestking, who was considered the deputy of Jesus Christ
on Earth and his co-ruler. Although the people of
Constantinople referred to themselves as Romans,
Greek cultural influences grew stronger. Emperor
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Kingdoms and Christianity
Section 1
Heraclius brought an official end to Roman traditions
in the eastern empire by making Greek the official
language, replacing Latin. He also replaced the old
Roman imperial titles with Greek terms.
Most Byzantine art, architecture, and literature had
strong religious themes. An important example of this
is mosaics, pictures created with tiny colored tiles
fitted together and cemented in place. Mosaics
decorated the interiors of many Byzantine buildings.
Byzantine churches had round domes over square
foundations, a style that influenced architects across
Europe and Asia.
In the 700s the use of art in churches deeply
divided society. A sect called the iconoclasts objected
to the use of icons, paintings or sculptures of sacred
figures. They claimed the practice was too close to the
non-Christian worship of idols. Emperor Leo III
banned icons. Because few people could read, many
of the clergy, or church officials, had used sacred
images to teach people about Christianity.
A strong reaction against iconoclasm soon set in
and continued until a council in 843 settled the issue
by accepting icons. This dispute widened a growing
divide between the eastern and western churches. In
1054 the differences became so large that a final
schism, or split, occurred between the churches. The
eastern church became the Orthodox Church; the
western church remained the Roman Catholic Church.
THE EMPIRE DECLINES
In the 600s the Byzantine provinces of Egypt and
Syria fell to Muslim conquerors. Leo III managed to
stop advancing Muslim forces twice, in 719 and 740.
A Macedonian dynasty ruled the empire from 867 to
1056. They improved the condition of the peasantry
and established a law school. Parts of Syria were
recovered from the Arabs and the Bulgarian kingdom
to the north was annexed. However, internal conflict
with the military and incompetent emperors caused
the dynasty to lose power and territories. By 1391, the
empire had been reduced to Constantinople and a few
outlying districts. Constantinople fell to the Ottoman
Turks after a fierce battle in 1453. The Ottomans
renamed the city Istanbul.
Why were icons important
to members of the clergy?
_______________________
_______________________
What effect did the dispute
over iconoclasm have on
the eastern and western
Christian churches?
_______________________
_______________________
How long was it between
the founding of
Constantinople and its fall
to the Ottoman Turks?
_______________________
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