Introduction to the Byzantine Empire

DefinitionByzantine: this term is a modern invention. The Byzantines called themselves either ‘Romans’ or ‘Greeks’. It was used for the medieval Greek-speaking, Christian empire that dominated the eastern Mediterranean. In antiquity, because of its strategic location, it was an important center for the transport of corn to Attica.

Just do it!Look at the following map and

answer this question.

What are the advantages of building a major city here?

What are the advantages of building a major city here?

AdvantagesPeninsula

Provided natural safe harbors for ships

both merchant and military shipsProvided natural defense

water on three sides. (the Black and Aegean Seas)

MAP

AdvantagesTrade

Easy access to the Mediterranean SeaLocated at an important land route that linked Europe and Asia (Silk Road).

MAP

The founding of Constantinople

and the Byzantine EmpireSince the Rule of Diocletian (in the late 200s A.D.) The Roman Empire was divided in two.

Western and Eastern Empires. The Western half was being weakened by constant attacking Germanic invaders.In 330 A.D. Emperor Constantine decided to relocate the capital.

He chose to locate the capital at the Greek city of Byzantium, later renamed Constantinople. (this was the area we looked at on the map) Constantine molded the new capital after Rome.

Often referred to as “new Rome”

THE CITY OF CONSTANTINOPLE

ConstantinopleCity was heavily fortified

Water on three side plus a wall was built to protect the fourth side.

Multi-ethnic cityGreeks, Persians, Italians, Turks, Slavs, Armenians, and Jews lived in the city

The citizens spoke Greek, but Latin was the official language.

ConstantinopleDuring Constantine's rule over 600,000 people lived in the city.Constantine convinced many wealthy Romans to move to the city by offering to build them palaces.

In 410 A.D. Rome fell to the Germanic invaders.However, the city of Constantinople and the eastern empire remained.This is when the Byzantine Empire started.

FROM ROMAN EMPIRE TO BYZANTINE EMPIRE

The Byzantine emperors faced different challenges

Conflict with Sasanid dynasty (226-641 C.E.) in Persia Invasions of migratory peoples from the north and east

The early Byzantine State Tightly centralized rule of a highly exalted emperor Caesaropapism: Emperor is both caesar and pope

The state and church are separateEmperor appoints patriarchs, influence over pope

Emperors also stood above the law Dress and court etiquette designed to enhance rulers' status Adopted Oriental style monarchy with all the symbols

The Age of Justinian (527-75)

536: Reconquest of Rome and much of Italy took many years. North Africa and the Spanish coast were easily conquered.Victories over Sassanid Persia in the east consolidate the borders

JUSTINIAN AND THEODORA

From 476 to late 6th Century CEEmpire was weak in EuropeDealt with invasions

Justinian and Theodora Couple came from obscure origins Seized power through bureaucracy Theodora was a strong advisor

Justinian Code Issued Corpus iuris civilis (The Body of the Civil Law) The code influenced civil law codes of western Europe

Threats from Sasanids and Slavic peoplesPersians were a constant threat

Hagia Sophia, Church of the Holy Wisdom, 6th c.

BYZANTINE EMPIRE c. 600 CE

Justinian’s legacyHagia Sophia remained the seat of Eastern Christianity until the Fall of Constantinople.552: Byzantine monks sneak silkworms and mulbery out of China. Justinian orders the codification of Roman law (Corpus Iuris Civilis).He was heavy-handed towards heresiesIn 529 he closed the philosophical school of Athens, thus destroying the last stronghold of paganism.

The Struggle with the Persians

Justinian and his successors were locked into a titanic struggle with an old enemy and won. 627: Heraclios crushes the Persians at Nineveh.However, both Byzantines and Persians were exhausted and vulnerable to the Arabs and Islam.

Heraclius 610-641Heraclius seized the throne from unpopopular PhocasHe defeated Chosroes and the PersiansRecovered many Byzantine territories Hellenized the empireTook the title basileus

BYZANTIUM & WESTERN EUROPE

Tensions between Greeks and LatinsEcclesiastical tensions

ConstantinopleGreek was religious languageCaesaropapist emperors

RomeLatin was chief languageAutonomy from imperial authorities

Rivalry for conversion of Slavs Political grievances

Franks & Germans claimed imperial authority

Charlemagne received imperial crown in 800 Otto of Saxony claimed himself an emperor in 962

Byzantines felt they were only legitimate emperor

BYZANTINE CHURCHChurch and state

Church's close relationship with the imperial government Constantine actively participated in religious debate Under emperors, church was department of state Justinian organizes church under five Patriarchs (Pentarchy)

Iconoclasm Controversy over use of icons in religious services

Old Testament prohibition on false images Islamic influences from Arabian PeninsulaIconoclasts wanted to purge all churches of icons

Ban on Icons inaugurated by Emperor Leo III in 726 C.E. Unpopular policy sparked protests, riots throughout the empireOpposed by Western Christians & Roman Patriarch (ie: the Pope)

The iconoclasts abandoned their effort in 843 C.E.Much protest and many excommunications from RomeEmperors worried about unrest and instability

ICONSThe word of God in The word of God in art used for prayer:art used for prayer:

IconographersIconographersread Bible passage, read Bible passage,

paint as a paint as a prayer. Iconsprayer. Iconsfollow certain follow certain

styles using specific styles using specific colors, images.colors, images.

Constantinople & RomeIconoclastic movement in the east criticized by the westEmperors vs. Roman Patriarch

Who is head of the church? Pope or Emperor? Ritual and doctrinal differences

Leavened vs. unleavened breadMarriage of priestsLiturgy in the vernacular

The Great Schism Power struggle led to mutual excommunication, 1054

Rivalry between Patriarch of Rome & ConstantinoplePapal ambassador excommunicated patriarch, who then excommunicates the Pope.

Origins of Eastern Orthodox & Roman Catholic churchesContinuation of rivalry after 1054 actions made split permanent

URBAN LIFEUrban Life

The capital was the heart of the empireHousing in Constantinople

Enormous palaces owned by aristocrats Less splendid dwellings owned by less privileged classes

Attractions of Constantinople City of baths, taverns, restaurants, theaters, Hippodrome The most popular game - chariot races

BYZANTINE ECONOMYAn Agricultural Economy

The peasantry The backbone of the Byzantine army and economy Landless peasants worked as share-croppers Since 11th century, free peasants declined

Consequences of the peasantry's decline Landowners shifted taxes to peasants Landowners raised forces for estates Pool of military recruits for empire shrank

Industry and Trade Manufacturing enterprises

Byzantine craftsmen had high reputation in various industries High-quality silk became important industry; imperial monopoly

Trade Constantinople, important for Eurasian, Mediterranean trade Solidus was the standard currency of the Mediterranean basin Byzantium drew enormous wealth from foreign trade

Banks and partnerships supported commercial economy

DOMESTIC PROBLEMS AND FOREIGN CHALLENGES

Social problems Generals, local aristocrats allied, a challenge to imperial power Free peasants were declining in number and prosperity Imperial government had fewer recruits, many fiscal problems

Challenges from the east Muslim Seljuk Turks invaded Anatolia, defeat Byzantines, 1071Also took control of Abbasid Caliphate, Holy places in Jerusalem The loss of Anatolia sealed the fate of the Byzantine empire

Challenges from the west Norman army expelled Byzantine authorities in southern Italy Normans, western Europeans mounted a series of crusades The fourth crusade sacked Constantinople Byzantine forces recaptured the capital in 1261Byzantines never recovered

Turks gradually push Byzantines out of Asia and move into Europe!

THREAT OF ISLAMThe emergence of the Islamic state

Arab peoples conquered Sasanids, part of ByzantiumProlonged sieges of Constantinople by Islamic armies Byzantine survived partly because of "Greek fire"

Imperial organization Government run by trained bureaucracy, professional armyThe theme system strengthened Byzantine society

Under rule of general, who ran army, civil bureaucracyResponsible for protecting peasants

Aristocrats limited by army, emperor, bureaucracy

THE THREAT OF ISLAM

MAP OF THE EMPIRE

MAP OF BYZANTINE PROBLEMS

The Fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders , 1204

Frankish Constantinople (1204-1261)

The sack of Constantinople: a great cultural calamity.Byzantine states in provinces (Nicaea, Trebizond, Epirus)The Latin empire of Constantinople was doomed, cut off from the West, with a determined Byzantine kingdom next to it, and a clergy very hostile to the Catholic primate.

The Latin Empire of Constantinople

The Palaiologean Period1261: Michael VIII Palaiologos recaptures Constantinople, defeats the Latins and restores Byzantine form. The Empire he reconstituted would be squeezed between enemies from the west and the relentless assaults of the Turks in the east

The Palaiologean Renaissance

Although politically the reign of Byzantium’s last and longest lasting dynasty was bleak, the arts and letters flourished. An increasingly more Hellenized stateSome of the Palaiologean Emperors were able (e.g. Michael VIII, Manuel II)However, the weakened state did not have the manpower, energy, or resources to stop the the relentless march of the Ottoman Turks. The old empire fell after a long struggle.

The Fall of ConstantinopleThe world turned its eyes on a depopulated Constantinople in the spring of 1453. A shadow of its former glory the imperial city fell after months of siege. Constantine XI, the last emperor became the subject of legends.

TWIN LEGACIESByzantine education

State-organized school system, Schools trained government bureaucrats Private education for aristocratic families Basic literacy was widespread even among lower classesCitizens constantly engaged in intellectual disputes

Scholarship Emphasis on humanities, classicsArts, architecture important for state, church Natural science generally ignoredEducated considered heirs of classical Greece

Christianity (Orthodox Church) was other legacy

The religious art of Byzantium

Intellectual, idealistic, schematic, with restrained colors and reserved form. Realism is rare and undesirableThe objective is the spiritual elevation of the believer