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HIST 2106 Early Medieval Europe Justinian’s Empire

HIST 2106 Early Medieval Europe Justinian’s Empire. Terms to Know. Justinian (527 - 565) Gothic Wars, 535 – 555 Heraclius (610 – 641) The Persian Wars, 622 – 628. The Sixth Century Empire. The Eastern Empire. Language, Culture and Society: Greek Influence Dominates Latin Traditions

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HIST 2106 Early Medieval Europe Justinian’s Empire

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  1. HIST 2106Early Medieval EuropeJustinian’s Empire

  2. Terms to Know • Justinian (527 - 565) • Gothic Wars, 535 – 555 • Heraclius (610 – 641) • The Persian Wars, 622 – 628

  3. The Sixth Century Empire

  4. The Eastern Empire • Language, Culture and Society: Greek Influence Dominates Latin Traditions • Major Enemies: Persia and East-Asian or Eastern-European Raiders • Economy: Retained Strong Commercial Interests (Trade Routes) along with Agriculture

  5. Justinian (527 - 565) • Nephew of Justin • Sought to reconquer the West • Consort, Theodora, incited controversy with her acting background and political activities • Good or Bad? His own historians debated the emperor’s legacy Hagia Sophia was the largest, most prestigious church in Christendom

  6. Justinian’s Accomplishments • 529: Corpus Iuris Civilis – collection of Roman law • 533: Reconquered North Africa • 534: Made Greek official language of law courts • Ruinous tax rates contrasted against economic development: mixed message?

  7. The Gothic Wars, 535 – 555 • 535-537: Belisarius, hero of North Africa, invaded Italy (taking Sicily and much of the south) • 540: Belisarius captured Ravenna (Gothic capital) • 541: Goths began counterattacks • Expensive & Inconclusive Campaign This mosaic in Ravenna depicts Justinian surrounded by his courtiers (including Belisarious) and soldiers

  8. Heraclius (610 – 641) • 626: Repulsed Avar & Slav invasion in the West • The Persian Wars, 622 – 628 – retook Jerusalem and all but destroyed Persian empire • Ironic result: power vacuum enabled rapid rise of Islamic Arabic empire Greek fire, an mysterious incendiary weapon, used by the Byzantines to devastating effect in their naval campaigns

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