the Byzantine Empire

the Byzantine Empire

1. Constantinople

   • Justinian's code
     • laws of ancient Rome
       • commssion to collect, revise and organize
       • passed by Roman assembles
     • impact far beyond
       • by 1100's reached Western Europe
       • guided legal leaders centuries later
       • strengthened and centralized power
       • helped put together laws in use today
     • known as other things
       • Corpus Julis Civils
       • body of Civil Law
       • most popular name is Justianinan's Code
   • Hagia Sophia
     • Elaborate for its time
     • Justinianian re-built it
     • name means "Holy Wisdom"
     • • made of marble
   • Capital of Byzantine Empire
     • had an excellent harbor

2. Great Schism

   • icons
     • caused Christianity to grow farther apart
     • EX: cross, rosary
     • in 700's worshiping them was outlawded
     • violated God's commandment
   • split between eastern and western Christianity
     • Eastern clergy could marry
     • greek was language of eastern
   • two sides
     • byzantine=Eastern
     • byzantine also = Greek Orthodox
     • western branch= Roman Catholic
     • contacts

3. Justinian

   • rose the Byzantine empire to its peak
   • Theodora
     • served as advisor and co-ruler
     • Pursued own policies