The Byzantine Empire

What happened to the Roman Empire by 500 A.D.?

The Fall of the Roman Empire After the Pax Romana, the Roman Empire entered an era of decline The Roman Empire had a series of weak emperors Romans had a large trade imbalance (they bought more than they produced) As Rome grew more in debt, the military became weak & began using foreign mercenary soldiers

Emperor Constantine moved the Roman capital to Constantinople in the Eastern Roman Empire The Western Roman Empire continued to grow weak Text Emperor Diocletian tried to save Rome by dividing the empire

The Fall of the Roman Empire By 476, barbarians conquered the Western Roman Empire The Western Roman Empire fell into the Middle Ages (“Dark Ages”) from 500 to 1300 A.D.

What happened in the Eastern Roman Empire?

The Fall of the Roman Empire While the Western Roman Empire was in decline… …the Eastern Roman Empire remained strong The Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire

How did physical geography impact the Byzantine capital of Constantinople? Text

The Byzantine capital was Constantinople Constantinople was a wealthy trade city located between the Mediterranean & Black Seas

Byzantine Capital of Constantinople

By 330, the emperor Constantine, had built a new capital city in Constantinople on the site of the Greek city Byzantium. The Byzantine empire arose from this site.

At its height, the Byzantine empire covered an area from Rome through southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, down to Egypt and across North Africa.

The city of Constantinople, was on a peninsula overlooking the Bosporus, a strait connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. From its central location, the city controlled key trade routes that liked Europe and Asia.

The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian. Justinian was a autocratic ruler, or single ruler with complete authority.

Emperor Justinian became known for his collection of ancient laws known as Justinian’s Code. This written set of laws (Twelve Tables but equal)

“Behind every great man, is a great woman” Empress Theodora “Behind every great man, is a great woman” Met with &wrote to foreign leaders Advised Justinian & helped him pass laws Encouraged building of Christian cathedrals

In the area of architecture, Justinian blended Greek, Roman, Persian and Middle Eastern styles. The best known structure is the Church of Hagia Sophia whose name means “Holy Wisdom” Also Built: Hospitals Aqueducts Public baths Courts Schools

In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great contributions In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great contributions. Icons were images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and others. These icons were supposed the create the sense that the holy person was actually present.

Byzantine artists also developed Mosaics, pictures or designs formed by inlaid pieces of stone or other materials. Mosaics often displayed religious themes.

In 1054, permanent split or schism occurred between the Orthodox Christian Church in the East and the Roman Catholic Church in the West.

The decline of the Byzantine empire came with the onset of invading armies. The final blow came at the hands of the Ottoman empire in 1453.

Byzantine missionaries carried Orthodox Christianity to Russia and other Eastern European nations.

Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler. Autocratic rulers in Russia were known as czars. Czar is the Russian word for Caesar.

The Byzantine empire had its influence in the development of history The Byzantine empire had its influence in the development of history. Emerging out of the once strong Roman empire, the Byzantines develop a written set of law and strongly influence art and architecture of the time. The Byzantine empire preserved the Greek, Roman and Persian achievements as well as influencing the development of Russia and Eastern Europe.