THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE:
THE LEGACY OF THE PAX
ROMANA
The Legacy of Rome
 As western Europe descended into the
anarchy of the Dark Ages…
 Roman civilization continued under the
Byzantine Empire at Constantinople
Justinian, 527-565
 Attempted to reunify the
whole Roman
Empire…and almost
succeeded in 550
 Authored the Corpus Juris
Civilis: a code of Roman
Law that lasted until
1453
 Corpus Juris Civilis is the
basis for medieval law in
Europe
Justinian’s Empire
Theodora: Queen of Blades
 She’s just a poor girl




from a poor family
But Justinian fell in
love…
…married her…
…got rebelled
against…
…and got saved by
Theodora!!!
Hagia Sophia
 Hagia Sophia was the largest church in the
world when it was built
 Built by Emperor Justinian and Empress
Theodora, every medieval church in the west
was imitating it
 It even had chandeliers hanging from the
ceiling!
 Link to "Inside Hagia Sophia"
A Christian Empire
 Constantine called Constantinople “Nova
Roma” – New Rome
 The Byzantine Empire spoke Greek, not Latin;
was Christian, not Pagan; Eastern Orthodox
not Roman Catholic
Summarize
 In your interactive notebook, at the bottom
of your notes page, write a short paragraph
about today’s lesson. Write about:
 What the main idea of the lesson was
 AND what you learned today.
 Your summary should be able to explain
today’s lesson to someone who was not in
class today.