Chapter 13: New Empires

Lesson 1, 2 & 3

Byzantine Empire
Justinian I became the ruler Grew to its largest size under his rule Ordered a code (set of laws) to be assembled
Justinian Code Organized the old code of Roman Laws

Byzantine Empire
Theodora Empress One of the first rulers to work for the rights of women
Met with envoys (official visitors from other lands)

Believed that jobs should be given based on persons ability, not social class Started a silk industry, which ended Chinas monopoly.

Byzantine Empire
Buildings, roads, bridges and aqueducts were built throughout the city Justinian was unpopular with the people, but Theodora persuaded he stay

Christian Church
Christianity was important to the people of the Byzantine Empire Justinian wanted the people to follow orthodox (officially accepted) Christianity Theodora did not follow orthodox Christianity Arguments centered around icons
Holy artwork depicting Jesus and the saints Believed it went against Gods laws

Division of Christianity
Eastern Orthodox Church
Christian Church in the Byzantine Empire (Constantinople) Leaders were called patriarchs

Roman Catholic Church

Christian Church in Western Europe (Rome) Churches followers are called Catholics

Constantinople
Good location to be the center of the Empire Surrounded by water on 3 sides
Easy to defend

Close to major trade routes Main road was filled with traders and merchants from many lands
Many different languages were spoken in the city
Common language was Greek

Constantinople
The wealthy were mainly government leaders, owners of large farms, and merchants Hippodrome

Huge stadium modeled after the Circus Maximus in Rome Horse racetrack Chariot races, shows, religious ceremonies and government events
Women not allowed to attend

City was target for invaders

Ottoman Turks finally captured the city, ending the empire in 1453

Rise Of Islam
Arabian Peninsula
Desert covers more than 2/3 Parts are dry plains called steppes
Arab tribes lived on these Raised camels, sheep and goats

One of the largest towns in Arabia was Mecca

Important place for worship Every year, Arabs from all over came to worship at the Kaaba holy shrine

Muhammad and Islam

Was told he would become a messenger to humankind Received many messages from angels
Islam is the religion based on these messages Make up the Quran, or Koran, holy book of Islam Muslim Follower of Islam Muhammads family and friends became first Muslims

Muslim Empire
Kaaba remains the most holy shrine for Muslims to this day After Muhammads death, Muslim leaders chose a caliph (successor)
Governed according to the Quran and Muhammads example Grew drastically

Muslim community split after arguments of who should rule

Muslim Empire
Sunni
Accepted the changing dynasties within the empire

Shii
Stayed loyal to the descendants of earlier leaders

Share basic beliefs of Islam, but disagree on some issues

Muslim Achievements
Places high value on education Muslim scholars helped develop Islamic laws and a court system Women:
Could own, buy, and sell property Pursue and education Granted specific rights in the family and in society

Muslim Achievements
Made many advances in health care From the Chinese, Muslims learned how to make paper From India, Muslims borrowed 9 digits and a zero (Indian numerals). Later known as Arabic numerals Mosques Islamic houses of worship

Mongol Empire
Nomads
Lived in small clans, moving from place to place

A strong leader, or khan, would bring clans together Temujin

Fiercest of Mongol warriors Admired and feared for his ambition and skills Made leader of the Mongols Genghis Khan Universal Leader

Mongol Empire
Empire grew under him, and under his sons Plundered
Took goods by force

Made surprise attacks and struck quickly in large numbers Army made up of cavalry (horseback soldiers)
Could move quickly to defeat other armies

Learned how to capture cities and forts through sieges

Military blockade of a city or fort to force to surrender

Mongol Empire
Divided into khanates
Smaller regions that were much like states Each had its own leader and government
All remained loyal to the khan

Developed many Chinese ways to govern Formed the Yuan dynasty

Brought people of China together under one government Had to pay higher taxes, and most important jobs were given to people not Chinese

Improvements
Grand Canal was made longer Roads were repaired Mail service connected all parts of empire After trying to conquer Japan, were destroyed by typhoons
Huge storms with heavy rains and winds

Mongol Empire
Became larger, and peaceful Increased trade Marco Polo
Most famous visitor Was sent to explore and report on distant parts of the empire Everywhere he went, he collected goods and wrote reports in his book called Il Milione