The Byzantine Empire
Byzantium: The "New Rome"
The Roman Empire Divided in 330
Constantine’s City--Constantinople
Barbarian Invasions of the Roman Empire Rome Falls in 476
Constantinople: A Greek City (Istanbul Today)
Byzantium Constantinople Istanbul
Emperor Justinian [r. 527-564]
Empress Theodora
“. . . I think that flight, even if it brings us to safety, is not in our interest. Every man born to see the light of day must die. But that one who has been emperor should become an exile I cannot bear. . . . But consider whether if you reach safety you may not desire to exchange that safety for death. . .”—Theodora, speech to Justinian during the Nika revolt (532)
Justinian’s Empire at its Peak
Church of Hagia Sophia [Holy Wisdom]
Interior of the Church of Hagia Sophia
How did the Byzantine Empire influence Russia and Eastern Europe? Cyrillic Alphabet Orthodox Christianity Autocratic Government Art and Architecture