The Byzantine Empire
The New Rome
In A.D 395, the Roman Empire was divided, the eastern half of it became known as the Byzantine Empire. In the A.D 500's Byzantine extended west to Italy, south to Egypt, and east to the Arabian border. A lot of people lived in the empire's border. Greek's made the largest population. Egyptians, Syrians, Arabs,Armenians, Jews, Persians, Slavs, and Turks lived in the empire. Under the Emperor Justinian, the laws became improved, their arts flourished, and the empire grew enthralling.
Constantinople
Constantine moved Rome's capital to the Greek city Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople. By the A.D 500's multicultural Constantinople had been one of the most advanced city's. Constantinople's location was a major success because it was located on the peninsula in the middle of the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. The city's wonderful harbors attracted fishing boats, trading ships, and warships. Because of the location at the crossroads of trade routes between Europe and Asia, Constantinople became the wealthiest part of the Roman Empire. Constantinople was also easy to defend because it was protected on three sides by the sea, and a huge wall was protecting it on the fourth side. Later on a huge chain was placed across the city's harbor for better protection. Surprise attacks were not easily transferred out on Constantinople.
Justinian's Rule
Justinian (juh-STIH-nee-uhn) ruled the Byzantine Empire at the height of its empire. A skilled general and powerful leader, Justinian ruled from A.D 527 until A.D 565. He governed with supreme power and controlled the military and all of the legal decisions made within the empire. Many historians view Justinian as the greatest ruler of Byzantine empire.
Who Was Theodora?
Theodora (THEE-uh-DOHR) was Justinian's wife. Theodora was beautiful, brilliant, and determined woman. She engaged actively in government and helped Justinian pick government officials. Theodora helped the Byzantine woman by, giving them more legal rights. At her imploring Justinian changed the Byzantine law so that a woman could own land. If a woman became a widow her land would provide the income that she needed to take care of her children. Theodora showed her political wisdom during a exigency in A.D 532. This was when mad taxpayers in Constantinople jeopardized the government, Justinian's advisers begged Justinian to leave the city.. But Theodora told him to stay and fight. According to one of the Byzantine historian, Theodora told him that she would rather die as an empress than escape and live as an outlaw: " May I never be separated from this purple [royal color], and may I not live that day on which those who meet me shall not address me as mistress. If, now, it is your wish to save yourself, O emperor, there is no difficulty. For we have much money, and there is the sea, here the boats. However consider whether it will not come about after you have been saved that you would gladly exchange that safety for death. For as for myself, I approve a certain ancient saying that royalty is a good burial- shroud." - From " The Nika Riot," by Procopius
Justinian's Legal Reforms
One of the most lasting contributions Justinian has ever done was in the area of the law. shortly after he became emperor, Justinian understood that the empire's laws were disorganized and confusing. He commanded to a group of legal scholars headed by Tribonian (truh-BOH-nee-uhn) to make a mere and better code of laws. The group's new and legal code became very well known as the Justinian code. The code helped officials and businesspeople better understand the empire's laws. Over centuries, the Justinian's code has been the basis for the legal systems of almost every
Byzantine Arts
Justinian along with other Byzantine emperors, was inquisitive in arts and architecture. The emperors commanded the construction of churches, forts, and government buildings throughout the Byzantine empire. Among the hundreds of wonderful churches and palaces in Constantinople was the church called Hagia Sophia (HAH-jee-uh soh-FEE-uh), or "Holy Wisdom." Under Justinian's commands, nearly 10,000 workers labored in shifts to build the church. In A.D 537, the domed church became the religious center of Byzantine Empire. The design of Hagia Sophia contains polished marble walls and beautiful gold and sliver ornaments. This extraordinary building still stands till this day. Various mosaics also decorated the inside of the building. Mosaics (moh-ZAY-ihks) are patterns or pictures made from very small pieces of colored stone or glass. Most mosaics show figures of saints, or Christian holy people. other mosaics show Byzantine Emperors. In addition to art Justinian was concerned about education. Learning was respected in the Byzantine Empire. In their schools, boys studied religion, medicine, law, arithmetic, and grammar. Girls didn't really attend school and didn't receive any teaching at home.
Creator: Library of Congress
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