Midwinter Break Homework

Hi, everyone! Use the blue paper you received in class to answer the questions you will find here in the readings about the Byzantine Empire and Emperor Justinian. The questions are numbered - you will find them as you read. Answer them on your paper in complete sentences. Be as detailed as you can, using evidence you have learned from this reading and in class. 

The Byzantine Empire

When the Western Roman Empire fell to barbarian invaders in 476, the eastern side of the Roman Empire survived. That empire is called the Byzantine Empire. While Europe was going through the Hundred Years War and the Black Death, the Byzantines survived until 1453 when they fell to the Ottoman Turks. Here's a map:
You can see that the Byzantine Empire covered a lot of territory! They would not keep Italy long, and they would lose Egypt too before they fell.

​Let's read about one of the greatest emperors of the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Justinian and his Empress Theodora. 
A mosaic depicting Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora

Emperor Justinian

  • Occupation: Emperor of Byzantium
  • Born: 482 in Macedonia (Northern Greece)
  • Died: 565 in Constantinople (Modern day Istanbul in Turkey)
  • Reign: 527 - 565
  • Best known for: The Golden Age of Byzantium and the Justinian Code of Law


Justinian's Early Life

Unlike most of the great rulers during the Middle Ages, Justinian was not born into a royal family. He was born to a peasant woman named Vigilantia in the Macedonian town of Tauresium.

Fortunately for Justinian, his uncle Justin was a rising star in the emperor's imperial guard. Justin adopted Justinian and had him move to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. There Justinian received a good education learning how to read and write as well as law and history.

QUESTION 1: What do you remember about education in Ancient Rome? What did boys learn? What about girls?

Justinian's uncle was an ambitious man. He became very close to the emperor and gathered many strong allies. When the emperor died without an heir in 518, Justin seized the position of emperor. Justinian soon became one of his Uncle Justin's chief advisors and generals.

QUESTION 2: What might happen when a King or an Emperor dies without an heir? When have we seen that before in our class?

Marrying Theodora

In 525, Justinian married Theodora. Although Theodora was considered below his class, Justinian didn't care. He loved Theodora and wanted to marry her. Theodora was very intelligent and turned out to be one of Justinian's closest advisors and supporters.

Becoming Emperor

When Justin died in 527, Justinian became the new emperor. He was a hard working emperor who was known for surrounding himself with talented people.

Expanding the Empire

The Byzantium Empire was also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. It was Justinian's dream to restore the Roman Empire to its former glory. He sent out his armies commanded by his two powerful generals, Belizarius and Narses. They successfully regained much of the land lost by the collapse of the Western Roman Empire including Italy and the city of Rome.

Justinian Code

Justinian also wanted to preserve the laws of Rome. He had all of the laws written down in one place. Then he added new laws to make sure that everyone was protected by the laws. This set of laws was called the Justinian Code. It was so well written that it became the basis of laws for many countries throughout the world.

QUESTION 3: Why is it a good idea to have all of the laws written in one place? Does the United States have anything like that? 

Building, Religion, and the Arts

Justinian had a passion for the arts and for religion. Under his reign arts such as poetry and literature flourished. He had a strong belief in Christianity and wrote laws to protect the church and to suppress the old religions of Rome. He also built many buildings. He had churches, dams, bridges, and fortifications built throughout the empire.

These three elements of Justinian's passion came together when he rebuilt the Hagia Sophia. This magnificent cathedral is still one of the most famous and beautiful buildings in the world today.

QUESTION 4: What are some of the amazing structures we have studied so far in history class? Of all of them, what do you think is the most important, and why?

Chariot Race Riots

Despite all his accomplishments, many people in Constantinople were not happy with Justinian's rule. He had placed high taxes on his people in order to pay for his armies and building projects. In 532, this all came to a head at a chariot race.

At the chariot race the two rival teams, the Green and Blue, united together in their dislike for Justinian. They began to riot. Soon they were attacking the emperor's palace and burning much of the city of Constantinople. Justinian considered fleeing, but at the urging of this wife Theodora, he fought back. Around 30,000 rioters were put to death to end the riot.

QUESTION 5: The Greens and the Blues were rival sports teams in Constantinople. People went to the Hippodrome to watch them race and cheer them on. Can you think of anything in New York that is like this?

Death

Justinian died in 565 after ruling for nearly 40 years. He left no children so his nephew Justin II became emperor.

Interesting Facts about Justinian I
  • He introduced new laws that protected both slaves and women.
  • There was a horrible plague in Constantinople during the 540s. Justinian got sick, but managed to recover.
  • He was the last Roman emperor to speak Latin.
  • Because of his hard work he was sometimes called the "emperor who never sleeps​."
QUESTION 6: Justinian's Plague was terrible. We learned about another plague that happened in Europe about 1350. What do you know about the Black Death from class? Use as much evidence as you can!