7th Notes: Chapter 1.2 I. The New Rome: A. After the Roman Empire was divided in 395 C.E., the eastern half became the Byzantine Empire. 1. Byzantine Empire extended from west of Italy to south of Egypt. B. Constantinople 1. By the 500s C.E., multicultural Constantinople had become one of the world’s most advanced cities. a) Population made up of Greeks, Egyptians, Syrians, Arabs, Armenians, Jews, Persians Slavs, and Turks. 2. Constantinople’s location between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea helped it become a wealthy center of trade and culture because it was located at the crossroads of trade route. 3. Constantinople was easy to defend because it was a peninsula. a) Three side were protected by the sea and the fourth side had a large wall. b) A huge chain was strung across the harbor for greater protection. C. Byzantine Culture 1. Roman ideas influenced the early Byzantine Empire but faded as Greek and other cultures blended to form the Byzantine civilization. 2. “New Rome” with government buildings and palaces. a) New area called a Hippodrome for chariot races, imperial ceremonies, political demonstrations, etc. 3. Emperors spoke Latin and enforced Roman laws. 4. Wealthy Roman families lived in towns or large farming estates. 5. Government gave poor people free bread and entertainment shows. 6. Over time Byzantines spoke Greek instead of Latin including emperors and officials. 7. Between 500 C.E. and 1200 C.E. Byzantines developed into one of the world’s most advanced civilizations. a) Preserving Greek culture and Roman law. II. Justinian’s Rule: 1. Justinian was a skilled general and a strong leader. 2. Ruled from 527 C.E. until 565 C.E. 3. Controlled the military and made all legal decisions. 4. Viewed as greatest Byzantine emperor. A. Theodora 1. Justinian’s wife, who was beautiful, intelligent, and ambitious. a) Chose government officials b) Changes laws for women giving them more legal rights. 2. She helped during the crisis in 532 C.E with the angry taxpayers. a) Justinian stayed and restored order in the Empire. B. Justinian’s Legal Reforms 1. Ordered a group of scholars (headed by Tribonian) to create a simpler and better code of laws called the Justinian Code C. Byzantine Arts 1. Emperors ordered the construction of churches, forts, and government buildings throughout the Empire. 7th Notes: Chapter 1.2 a) Hagia Sophia was built in Constantinople, completed in 537 C.E. i. Contained polished walls of marble, gold & silver ornaments and dome 180 ft. high. ii. Mosaics decorated the walls of the Hagia Sophia. iii. Converted into a mosque in 1453 C.E. 2. Mosaics are patterns or pictures made from small pieces of colored glass or stone. a) Mosaics showed figures of saints, Christian holy people, Byzantine and emperors. D. Education 1. Learning was highly respected. 2. In schools, boys studied religion, medicine, law, arithmetic, grammar and other subjects. 3. Some were schooled by private tutors. 4. Girls generally did not attend school and received teaching at home. E. Military Conquests 1. General Belisarius helped strengthen and reorganized the military. a) Instead of foot soldiers, the new armies used cavalry (soldiers mounted on horses, wore armor, and carried bows and lances). b) Between 533 C.E. and 555 C.E. the Byzantine military conquered territories that were previously part of the Roman Empire. c) Byzantines also defeated the Persians 2. Conquests were short-lived because of the “Justinian Plague.” a) A deadly disease during the mid-500s swept through Asia and Europe. b) Plague killed millions of people and weakened the Byzantine army. c) Byzantine’s did not have enough money to defend against the Persians. d) After Justinian’s death most of the western territories were conquered by the Persians.