JustinTian Constantine Theodora
Constantine had created a new Rome and rebuilt the Greek city Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople, the new capitol of the Byzantine Empire. Rome reached its highest point under emperor Justinian, who ruled from 527-565. Emperor Justintain was determined to revive ancient Rome by recovering lands that had been invaded. In 532, riots and a devastating fire swept Constantinople, attempting to overthrow Justintain. Buildings were burnt down and many lives were lost. Fortunately, his wife was there to help end the riots and save his position as emperor. Justinian restored Roman glory after this devastating fire by building a church, Hagia Sophia, which means The Church of Holy Wisdom. He left great monuments and a code of laws. The code of laws was known as the Body of Civil Law, or more popularly known as Justinian's Code. This code passes on laws of legal writings and Roman assemblies. Justinian's Code had a major impact in the Byzantine Empire and is the basis of the legal system. Justinian's wife, Theodora, helped gain women's rights. When Justinian and Theodora ruled together they transformed Constantinople to a wonderful city by building bridges, aqueducts, and more then 25 churches.
After the death of Justinian, the empire began to decline. There were invasions from barbarians, Persians, and Muslims and later emperors lost all the land Justinian gained. Even though the empire remained for several years, it never regained its former strength. In 1453, the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, bringing the Roman Empire to an end. Ottomans were a Turkish-speaking nomadic people who migrated from Central Asia and their ruler was Sultan Mehmet II, whose goal in life was to conquer Constantinople.
The quote below shows us how important the empire was to the people who lived there. In Byzantine, the emperor was regarded somewhat different then an Roman emperor. The Romans had considered their emperor as God himself, but the Byzantines believed that their emperor was God's representative on earth.
After the death of Justinian, the empire began to decline. There were invasions from barbarians, Persians, and Muslims and later emperors lost all the land Justinian gained. Even though the empire remained for several years, it never regained its former strength. In 1453, the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, bringing the Roman Empire to an end. Ottomans were a Turkish-speaking nomadic people who migrated from Central Asia and their ruler was Sultan Mehmet II, whose goal in life was to conquer Constantinople.
The quote below shows us how important the empire was to the people who lived there. In Byzantine, the emperor was regarded somewhat different then an Roman emperor. The Romans had considered their emperor as God himself, but the Byzantines believed that their emperor was God's representative on earth.
"The emperor is equal to all men in the nature of his body, but the authority of his rank is similar to God, who rules all"