Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire

1. Constantinople

   • The capital of Byzantine Empire and vital center of the empire.
   • Key trade routes linking Europe and Asia.
   • Had an excellent harbor and was guarded on 3 sides by water
   • Built an elaborate system of land and sea walls to bolster it defenses

2. Justinian

   • Recovered many lands that had been taken over by invaders
   • Ruled as an autocrat, which is a sole ruler with absolute power
   • Rebuilt the famous church, Hagia Sophia
   • Fought back for many of the lost lands, but military was not strong enough to keep them, so they lands were lost again

3. Justinian's Code

   • Collection of Roman laws
   • Were used later by other monarchs to make their own laws
   • Unified the empire
   • Created by Justinian
   • Included laws passed by Roman assemblies or decreed by Roman emperors, as well as the legal writings of Roman judges and handbook for students

4. Theodora

   • Justinian's wife
   • Served as advisor and co-ruler to Justinian and even pursued her own policies
   • Was an actress
   • Pushed for women's rights, specifically women being raped

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