Byzantine+Empire



The Byzantine Empire grew out of the **eastern roman empire**, built into statecraft with a **centralized rule** under an emperor. Using **Caeseropapism**, the emperor was in charge of church and state. **Constantine and Justinian** were the prominent emperors. Justinian used resources and taxes often, and riots were commonly taken down by imperial army. Justinian created **Justinian's Code**, which consolidated the roman rules. Defended strongly at **Constantinople** against Islamic and Germanic attacks. Used the **theme system** to spread military control and gave quick mobilization. Peasantry was the backbone of society, and were "bound to land" by higher social members. Constantinople was the home of arts and markets. Trade routes connected Byzantium to Asian empires and Islamic states. **Banks and business partnerships** helped stabilize Byzantium as the European economic center. Followed Classical Greece **Latin.** Education was largely supported, and focused on the **humanities** (literature, history, philosophy). Church was close to the emperial state, under Caesaropapism, and was a Christian-based religious community. Leo III harshly divided church and state with **iconoclasm**, or destroying religious images because they encourage physical idols.