The Byzantine Empire

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The Byzantine Empire

By Nicole Murphy

Justinian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOExHX45jLQ (Incorporar)

Byzantine Empire

http://www.wovow.org/hagia-sophia/

http://bookswithapast.com/blog-2/page/2

The Hagia Sophia

The dome rises 184 feet from the floor. The architects used a technique that was new in the 500s to support this huge dome. Triangular supports called pendentives were inserted into the corners of the square , which supported the weight of the dome on the square base.

The round plaques decorated with calligraphy were added between 1847 and 1849.

The Hagia Sophia, or "Holy Wisdom," stands at a cultural and geographic crossroads. Istanbul - once called Constantinople - is located where Europe meets Asia and Islam meets Christianity. Despite warfare and invasions, the Hagia Sophia has remained intact, a prize for whoever controlled thee city. It has served as a Cathedral of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, a Roman Catholic cathedral, and an Islamic mosque. The towers, called minarets, were built after the building became a mosque. Mosque officials, called muezzins , call Muslims to prayer from the minarets.

http://www.theeagleandtheswan.com/theodora/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mosaic_of_Iustinianus_I_-_Basilica_San_Vitale_(Ravenna).jpg

Justinian and Theodora

Justinian

Was the Byzantine Emperor that helped the Byzantine Empire to reach it's peak. He was determined to revive ancient Rome by recovering lands that had been overrun by invaders. Led by Belisarius, the armies conquered North Africa, Italy, and the southern Iberian peninsula but the fighting weakened their defense and the victories were only temporary. After a fire in Constantinople he built the Hagia Sophia and rebuilt the city. He also developed Justinian's code which guided legal thinkers centuries later.

Theodora

She was Justinian's wife and co-emperor. She was a shrewd politician and even pursued her own policies. She was the daughter of a bear-keeper and came from a family low in the social class. Before meeting Justinian she was an actress. She encouraged her husband to make laws that were fairer to women. These included laws that let parents leave property to their daughters and more laws that fought for women's rights.

http://webserver.sms.org/intranet/classes/history/worldhist/maps/web/byz1050.gif

Constantinople was a vital center of the empire. It was located on the shores of the Bosporus, a straight that links he Mediterranean to the Black Seas. It had an excellent harbor and was guarded on three sides by water. Emperors after Constantine built elaborate sea and land defenses. Constantinople was also the center for trade. It commanded key trade routes linking Europe and Asia. The city's favorable location made it Europe's busiest marketplace.