Byzantine

Hagia Sophia

San Vitale

Justinian and His Retinue

Theodora and Her Court

Christ Enthroned Between St. Vitalis and Bishop Ecclesius

The Emperor Triumphant

Theotokos and Child Between Saints Theodore and George

Christ as Pantokrator

Pendentive

Triangular segment of a sphere that filled the upper corners of a room to support a dome

Encaustic

Painting technique that involves applying a heated wax medium mixed with pigment to a surface

Icon

Sacred images of holy figures, events, and angels that were believed to connect worshippers to Christ, Mary, or other saints.

Iconoclasm

Theological debate and a period of time when the production and use of religious images were as prohibited by imperial law

Mandorla

Almond-shaped aureole that surrounds the entire body of a holy figure

Theotokos

Virgin Mary as the Mother of God

Pantocrator

Jesus Christ as the “ruler of all” or “all-powerful”

Illuminated Manuscript

Religious documents that often depicted Christianity

Theocracy

Empire’s political ideals and goals were based on Christian values and ideals

Constantinople

The term for the Eastern half of the Roman Empire in the Middle Ages refers to the previous name of the city, Byzantium. Transformed and renamed by Constantine.

Hagia Sophia and San Vitale

Emperor Justinian, in his efforts to reunite both halves of the Roman Empire, built these churches in Constantinople and Ravenna.