Byzantine Empire Under Emperor Justinian

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Questions and Answers

Who was Emperor Justinian?

He was the most important ruler in Byzantine and he helped restore some of Rome's former glory.

What were some of Emperor Justinian's greatest accomplishments?

Drecoquest, laws - changed them to make them more efficient, the buildings he organized/built, and secret agents that were undercover as monks who discovered how the Chinese were able to make silk.

What does 'Dominus et Deus' mean?

It means lord and god.

Who referred to himself as Dominus et Deus?

Justinian. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Procopius?

He was a historian of the Byzantine Empire. Signup and view all the answers

What did Procopius' 'Secret History' reveal?

It revealed the cruelty of the autocratic system in which the emperor ruled by divine providence. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Hagia Sophia?

The Holy Church of Wisdom that was built under Justinian. Signup and view all the answers

Where was the Hagia Sophia built?

Istanbul (Constantinople). Signup and view all the answers

What was 'Greek fire'?

A weapon used by the Byzantine Empire, primarily at sea to take down enemy boats. Signup and view all the answers

What did 'Greek fire' prove?

It was evidence that the Byzantines were very technologically advanced. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Agentes in Rebus' mean?

Translates to 'people doing things' - Justinian's spy network. Signup and view all the answers

What were Iconoclasts?

They were described as iconophiles and clashed over why Christianity should use icons. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Byzantines think about Iconoclasm?

They did not think that icons were a good idea and said to get rid of them because they went against the 10 commandments. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Great Schism of 1054?

The separation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church/Byzantine Churches. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Pope do in the Great Schism of 1054?

The Pope excommunicated the 5 patriarchs of the Byzantine Church. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Charlemagne?

He was the king of the Franks and was considered an ideal king. Signup and view all the answers

Who were Charlemagne's rivals?

He had a rivalry against the Pope. Signup and view all the answers

What were Capitularies?

Law issued by Charlemagne with the intention to uphold Christianity above all other religions. Signup and view all the answers

What is Carolingian miniature?

A new form of handwriting created by Charlemagne that fixed handwriting of the people. Signup and view all the answers

What is Einhard's 'Life of Charlemagne'?

A book about life and reign of Charlemagne, written by one of his dedicated servants. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Lateran Palace Mosaic show?

It showed that power is derived from God and puts the church at a higher status than the Holy Roman Emperor. Signup and view all the answers

What is Comitatus?

A Germanic war band that follows the chief. Signup and view all the answers

What was the chief supposed to distribute to the Comitatus?

The chief was supposed to distribute the plunder of the war to the war band/followers. Signup and view all the answers

Can the chief go to war without discussing it with the Comitatus?

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Emperor Justinian

Was the most important ruler in the Byzantine Empire
Helped restore some of Rome’s former glory
Implemented legal reforms (Derecoquest) to make the system more efficient
Built impressive buildings
Used undercover secret agents, disguised as monks, to discover how the Chinese made silk

Dominus et Deus

Means “Lord and God”
Phrase adopted by Emperor Justinian
Demonstrates the centralisation of power through him, claiming all power derives from God

Procopius

Byzantine historian
Wrote “Secret History”

“Secret History”

Reveals the brutality of the Byzantine autocratic system
Emphasizes the Emperor's rule by Divine Providence

Hagia Sophia

Holy Church of Wisdom
Built under the reign of Justinian in Constantinople (now Istanbul)
Constructed with allusions that look as if Jesus is floating above

“Greek Fire”

Byzantine weapon used primarily at sea against enemy ships
Demonstrates the Byzantine Empire’s technological advancement

Agentes In Rebus

Translates to “People doing things”
Justinian’s spy network
Disguised as monks, they discovered the secret of Chinese silk production

Iconoclasm

Disputes within Christianity regarding the use of icons
Iconoclasts, who opposed icons, argued that they violated the 10 Commandments

The Byzantine Church’s View on Iconoclasm

Byzantines did not support Iconoclasm
Believed in the use of icons

Great Schism of 1054

The separation of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church (Byzantine Church)

Pope’s Role in the Great Schism of 1054

Pope excommunicated the five patriarchs of the Byzantine Church

Charlemagne

King of the Franks
Considered an ideal king
Known as the founder of the first empire in Western Europe after the fall of Rome
Rivaled with the Pope
Issued Capitularies on Law to uphold Christianity above all other religions

Carolingian Minuscule

New form of handwriting created by Charlemagne
Standardized handwriting and ensured the preservation and transmission of knowledge

Einhard’s “Life of Charlemagne”

Book about the life and reign of Charlemagne
Written by one of his dedicated servants

Lateran Palace Mosaic

Commissioned by the Pope to celebrate Charlemagne’s coronation as Holy Roman Emperor
Shows that the power of the Pope derives from God, placing the Church above the Holy Roman Emperor

Comitatus

Germanic war band that follows their leader
The leader depended on their fidelity

Chief’s Duties to the Comitatus

The chief was responsible for distributing the spoils of war to his followers
Members of the Comitatus were rewarded for engaging in violence and warfare

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Description

Explore the significant aspects of Emperor Justinian's reign, including his legal reforms, the construction of Hagia Sophia, and his use of secret agents. Discover his centralization of power and insights from Procopius's 'Secret History' that highlight the Byzantine autocracy. Test your knowledge about this pivotal era in history.