Justinian And Theodora And Byzantine Cultures In The Byzantine Empire

The Roman Empire influenced the Byzantine Empire’s culture, mainly through the religion of Christianity. Christianity first appeared in the Roman Empire, with the birth, teachings, and supposed resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the beginning years of it’s arrival, Christianity was not tolerated and Christians were mainly, and most often brutally prosecuted. However, with Constantine’s Edict of Milan, Christianity was officially tolerated, and under Theodosius, it became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire inherited this relatively new religion, continuing to follow the beliefs and traditions of the church, as well as spreading the word of Jesus Christ and the message of god. Churches sprung up in the empire, such as the mighty Hagia Sophia. Located in Constantinople and built by Justinian, this church especially exemplified

of Byzantine at that time. Him and his wife, Theodora, set a goal to restore

The Good Shepherd in the Catacombs of St. Pietro and Marcellius is a fresco found in Rome during the fourth century. It contains shapes of crosses with Christ in the center and the good shepherd. It uses orans that are figures without stretched hands representing a prayer towards Heaven.

The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe originally were part of the Roman Empire, but by the middle Ages(medieval times), they were very different, even though they did share some common traits, but by the 300's, the Byzantine Empire had far surpassed Western Europe in trade and economics and political unity, while both empires were having arguments over religion.

Theodora was the Empress of the Byzantine Empire from 527, when she was crowned, until her death in 548. Procopius was the appointed historian to record what was happening in the Empire, but mostly to focus on Theodora and Justinian. The Secret History was written by Procopius, but not published in the West until about a millennium after it was written. As it was ‘a venomous pamphlet of dubious merit’, The Secret History is hardly a reliable historical source. It criticises Justinian and Theodora for all of their actions as Emperor and Empress, as well as create a story, possibly based on nothing, about the origins of Theodora. While Procopius is considered a significant historian for the sixth century, it is notable that his treatment of Theodora is biased in an unfavourable way. Procopius adopts a perceptibly hostile attitude toward Theodora. Much of this bias against Theodora can be explained by Procopius’ view of women in power and gender roles.

Justinian was born around, 482, He was the Byzantine emperor, after his uncle. He ruled from 527 to 565, making a great impact on the Eastern Roman Empire. His first priority was to strengthen the empire, and return it to its prior ancient glory. Outstandingly, he was able to restore the city, Constantinople, after multiple important religious buildings, were burned down, and destroyed, during approximately January, 11 – 19, 532.

Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, a new empire rose up in the ashes. This new empire, the Byzantine Empire, was a culmination of Western Roman cultures and tradition, yet, it also contains many distinctive features. Originating from the same empire, the two empires display similar cultural roots.

The Islamic empire had the Rashidun army which maintained a high level of discipline, strategies prowess, and organization. The Rashidun army was the most prominent and effective military force in the world since both of these empires were so strong it helped develop major empires in the postclassical world. Islam dominated one third of the old world and at its height it reached from the Atlantic Ocean on the West, across North Africa and the Middle East, to central Asia on the East. Emperor Justinian used Christianity's desire to reclaim Rome he used religious thoughts to justify and execute military assaults on lost land. Comprised of brilliant generals and thousands of motivated men striving for eternal after life the Islamic army was immensely dynamic, effective, and cardinal to power of the Islamic kingdom. The location of the Byzantine Empire aided in military conquest and defense because of the Mediterranean sea.

Did you know that Justinian's Code is a Law Code from the ancient Byzantine Empire. Justinian's Code was created by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.These law codes were published in 529 a.d. These laws were very effective and the basis of many law codes yet to come.

At its simplest, the purpose Justinian had in mind was to put together the laws in the Byzantine Empire. It was a mammoth task, as you might well dream. In doing this, the laws were accoutred in writing, putting out ancient laws that had been out of date their works that were kept hidden all these years, and laws were interacted that dealt with situations that were good at the time or could be told in the future as needed for future people. The Justinian Code was important as it made easier and broken down a lot of years of living Roman laws and Justinian's own laws and into one system.In four parts, made up the code, and these were the Codex Constitution, Digest, institutions and the novella constitutions Post

Furthermore, Justinian and Theodora's rule reinforces the political aspect and appeal of religion for Byzantine emperors. Theodora was a fervent monophysite christian and Justian himself was a strong supporter of the Chalcedon council. Yet, the way with which it seems that they simply 'agreed to disagree' actually had quite some positive political consequences; the extent to which these were planned is of course debatable. Indeed, Justinian had military ambitions in the Eastern empire and in North Africa where large patches of monophysites remained therefore this situation where Theodora secretly supported monophysites and he did not accept them without at the same time openly persecuting them was quite suitable. The support of monophysites was

The greatest of these emperors was Justinian who prepared for the conquest by defeating the Persians on the eastern frontier and divided the Roman Catholic church. The weakened of his empire, preoccupied with internal problems, grew less and less concerned with the West. Although its rulers continued

The Byzantine Empire was originally known as the Eastern Roman Empire, after surviving the barbaric attacks on its land. Emperor Justinian protected this empire and was well known for conquering many places. In the Byzantine Empire, the Emperor is the supreme ruler, looked at as a god. He was the head of the army, the highest political authority and the supreme legislator and judge. However, according to Procipius in, The Secret History, Justinian destroyed the greatness and history of Rome. Justinian was described as being “crafty, hypocritical, secretive by temperament, two-faced, and purely evil”.

Garland, Lynda. "Theodora, Wife of Justinian." In Byzantine Empressses: Women and Power in Byzantinum, AD 527-1204. London: Routledge, 1999. 11-39. Accessed September 30, 2014. ProQuest ebrary.

The Byzantine Empire, though often forgotten among better-known empires, such as the Roman Empire, ran for nearly one thousand years, occupying the eastern half of what once was the Roman Empire. It engaged in trade, expansion, and decades of warfare. It also gave women a better status then men, valued and preserved Greek history, and eventually fell to the Ottomans.