The Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire

1. Constantinople

   • Byzantine's capital
   • high walls for strong defense
     • very strong military
   • right on mediterranean
     • lots of foreign trade

2. Justinian

   • create Justinian's code
     • influenced many later monarchs
   • revived ancient Rome
   • co-ruler to Theodora (his wife)
     • shrewd politician
     • used to be an actress

3. Hagia Sofia

   • rebuilt by Justinian
   • "Holy Wisdom"
     • Christian and muslim influences
   • immense, arching dome

4. Great Schism

   • split between Eastern and Western Churches
     • Western became Roman Catholic
   • caused by icons
     • Byzantine emperor tried to ban them
   • Byzantine Church became Greek Orthodox