1 Byzantium, The New Rome

Byzantium: The ‘New Rome’

Setting the Stage

• The western Roman Empire crumbled in the 5th century due to invasions by Germanic tribes.

• In the 4th century, the threat from these tribes became apparent.

• Emperor Constantine rebuilt Byzantium on the Bosporus strait for two reasons:

  • To counter the Germanic tribes' threat.

  • To be close to his rich eastern provinces.

• In 330, Constantine renamed the city Constantinople and established it as the capital of the empire.

A New Rome in a New Setting

• Constantinople was designed as the new capital of the empire, termed the New Rome.

• The empire's center of power shifted eastward, leading to the development of an independent eastern empire.

Justinian—A New Line of Caesars

• In 395, due to communication difficulties, the empire was officially divided into Eastern and Western halves.

• Successors of Constantine in the East viewed themselves as Roman emperors.

• In 527, Justinian, a Byzantine nobleman, became emperor and aimed to rule both eastern and western parts.

• Sent General Belisarius to recover North Africa from the Vandals, swiftly succeeding.

• In 535, Belisarius captured Rome from the Ostrogoths, but the city faced multiple attacks in the following years, changing hands six times.

• After various campaigns, Justinian's forces took nearly all of Italy and parts of Spain, allowing him to claim the title of a new Caesar.

The Absolute Power of the Emperors

• Byzantine emperors ruled with absolute power, overseeing both state and church.

• They had authority to appoint or dismiss bishops at will.

• Political power was brutal, with emperors often facing assassination.

• Of the 88 Byzantine emperors, 29 died violently, and 13 abdicated to live in monasteries.

Building the New Rome

Developing a Unique Character

• The Byzantine Empire developed its own identity distinct from the western empire due to governance and communication barriers.

• Citizens identified with Roman traditions but primarily spoke Greek and followed the eastern Christian Church.

The Justinian Code

• To manage his complex society, Justinian established a panel of ten legal experts (528-533) to create a uniform legal code.

• The result, the Justinian Code, is comprised of four works:

  1. The Code: Nearly 5,000 Roman laws deemed useful for the Byzantine Empire.

  2. The Digest: Quoted and summarized opinions of legal thinkers, spanning 50 volumes.

  3. The Institutes: A textbook for law students on using the laws.

  4. The Novellae: Legislation passed after 534.

• The Justinian Code regulated various aspects of Byzantine life, including marriage, slavery, property, inheritance, women’s rights, and crimes.

• The code remained in effect for 900 years following Justinian's death in 565.

Creating the Imperial Capital

Ambitious Building Projects

• Justinian initiated the most ambitious public building program of his era, including:

  • Rebuilding the city’s fortifications, with a 14-mile stone wall and three layers of defense.

  • Church construction, with Hagia Sophia as the crowning achievement, rebuilt after destruction in 532 riots.

  • Expansion of his palace into a vast complex, and building baths, aqueducts, law courts, schools, and hospitals.

• The city's vibrancy reflected a unique cultural and architectural grandeur unmatched in the world.

Constantinople’s Hectic Pace

Daily Life in Constantinople

• The Mese: The primary street or