Dig Into History

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written code. It became known as the Code of
Justinian or the Codex Justinianus. While it was not
the first set of codified laws, it did become
the basis for the Code of Canon Law of th
Catholic Church. Eventually, it influen
systems of civil law throughout much
Europe and even Japan. It did not
influence American law, however.
Rather than being codified, American
law is based on precedent.

In Architecture
Today, in Turkey, history is mostly
known through movies and
television. Yet, Byzantine
influence can be seen in art and
architecture. One of the most
famous buildings in Istanbul is
theHagia Sophia(see page
41). Completed in 537 as the
Church of Saint Sophia, it is
now a museum whose Byzantine
mosaics are known throughout the
world.
The religion of the Byzantine
missionaries also influenced the
architecture of eastern and southern
Europe. In the city of Kiev, the capital
present-day Ukraine, churches survive

that were built by Byzantine architects after that

city’s conversion to Christianity. Among these is

the 11th-century Cathedral of Saint Sophia. It

amed for the Hagia Sophia.

Art

zantine art and design have been

vived in other countries as well. In

2008, the British Royal Academy held

an important exhibition entitled

“Byzantium 330–1443.” In 2013, the

Italian fashion house Dolce and

Gabbana based that year’s collection

on the Byzantine mosaics found in

Sicily’s Monreale cathedral (a model

wears one at left).

Regina Hansenis a

master lecturer of

rhetoric at Boston

University.

nis a

Wonder what

the Byzantine

Theodora would empress

say of this

dress?

Hagia Sophia is actually Greek for

“Holy Wisdom.”

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