Untitled Notes

Speaker expresses personal interest in the Byzantine Empire, having acquired a book about it.
Importance of understanding the Byzantine Empire's origin story.
The goal for this session is to provide a context and overview of the Byzantine Empire before examining specific sources related to Justinian.

Emphasis on the prominence of both spoken content and slide content; careful note-taking is advised.
Students are encouraged to focus and not merely copy slides.

The Byzantines emerge directly from the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire's origins: began as a republic, a government where representatives vote on important matters.
- This governance style bears resemblance to the contemporary structure of the United States.
The Roman Republic was successful for about 500-700 years.
Military strategies, partly derived from ancient Greece and Spartan tactics, allowed for extensive expansion across the Mediterranean world, encompassing Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East.

Julius Caesar's rise to power marked a significant change.
- His popularity led him to march on Rome and declare himself "dictator for life," a deviation from the expected temporary role of dictator.
- Caesar's subsequent assassination led to a civil war involving notable figures like Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
- The victor, Octavian Augustus, becomes the first emperor, marking the transition from republic to empire.

Diocletian recognizes the Roman Empire's vastness and divides it into Eastern and Western regions to manage complexities.
- Each division has its own emperor.
- This division ultimately leads to conflicts, with Constantine later moving the power center to Byzantium, renamed Constantinople.

The 5th century saw Germanic peoples invade the Western Roman Empire, resulting in settlements and further cultural and demographic changes.
- Traditional Romans migrated towards Rome, stressing the local population.
The adverse effects of these invasions led emperors to enlist Germanic tribes into the military, which backfired as the mixed loyalty diminished traditional Roman integrity.
Ultimately, the Western Roman Empire falls, led by the Germanic general Odoacer capturing the last emperor Romulus Augustulus in 476 AD.

After the Western Roman Empire's fall, the Eastern Empire persists, evolving into what historians label the Byzantine Empire.
- The term "Byzantine" is a modern construct; inhabitants identified as Romans, viewing themselves as continuators of the Roman tradition.

The geographical advantages of Constantinople's location on the Bosphorus Strait:
- Control over trade routes and military movements between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
- Its strategic positioning contributed significantly to its wealth and influence.

Continual threats from remaining empires, particularly the Sasanid Empire in Persia.
Infrastructure inherited from the Romans aids Byzantine durability—roads, aqueducts, and administrative frameworks sustain governance.
The Byzantine Empire thrives until around the 1450s, marking a long-lasting existence comparable to modern national histories.

Justinian viewed as the "Sleepless Emperor", heavily engaged in governance and reconstruction projects.
- His era is characterized by significant military and civil involvement.
Implementation of a comprehensive legal code that drew from previous Roman laws, setting foundations for modern legal systems.

The Hagia Sophia: A significant architectural landmark blending various structures; becomes a mosque after the Ottoman conquest.
- The church's construction reflects both Christian and Islamic architectural elements, particularly in its domes and minarets.
The Hippodrome serves as an entertainment venue, hosting chariot races and public events, mirroring Roman traditions while significantly impacting Byzantine social life.

Empress Theodora, born into a commoner’s family with a troubled upbringing, becomes a powerful political figure alongside Justinian.
- She advises him significantly, contributing to policies and decisions, often facing negative portrayals due to male historians' biases stemming from jealousy.

Defined as the political authority overseeing religious matters, contrasting with the Pope's influence in the West.
- The emperor appoints religious figures like the Patriarch, reflecting how political power equates to religious authority.

A schism develops between the Eastern Orthodox Church in the Byzantine Empire and the Catholic Church in the West, primarily over issues of authority and governance between the Patriarch and the Pope.
- The mutual excommunication of the Patriarch and the Pope marks formal separation, with ramifications affecting future Christian practices and political alliances.

Tomorrow's focus will delve deeper into sources related to Justinian, including writings by Procopius and artwork reflective of Byzantine society.
Examination of historical narratives and myth-making surrounding key figures and events, particularly those influencing the perception of women in power, such as Theodora.