The Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire

1. Constanstinople

   • vital center of the empire
     • excellent strategic location
     • commanded key trade routes linking Europe and Asia

2. Justinian

   • revived ancient Rome
     • recovered land that had been overrun by invaders
     • rebuilt the church if Hagia Sophia as well of many other buildings
   • Justinians Code
     • massive collection of laws from ancient Rome
   • married to Theodora
     • challenged emperor and wrote her own policies-influential woman

3. Great Schism

   • Byzantine emperor banned the use of icons; led to split of the church
     • Eastern Orthodox
     • Roman Catholic

4. Byzantine Culture

   • Learning/Education
     • preserved the classic worls of ancient Greece and Rome
     • produced great history books
   • The Arts
     • religious art-icons and mosaics
     • architecture-palaces and churches