Fall of the Roman Empire
Invasions! Rome is internally weakened Barbarian invasions finally cause the Western Roman Empire to crumble and break into pieces. 410 AD- Alaric and Visigoths sack Rome 455 AD-Vandals sack Rome 476 AD- Romulus Augustus deposed by Odaocer.
The West Crumbles Western Roman Empire breaks up into pieces, each ruled by a tribal leader Warring Germanic Tribes fought for control of the West. Out of these, only the Franks proved long-lasting
Eastern Empire Goes On! Rome continues in the East Culturally Greek Later renamed the Byzantine Empire. Capital in Constantinople Trade Architecture
Hagia Sophia
Emperor Justinian Collected and clarified Roman law = Code of Justinian (still used as a foundation for law today!) Tried to re-conquer lost territory and recreate the Roman Empire
Justinian married Theodora, A popular exotic dancer in Constantinople!
Importance of Byzantine Empire Laid foundations for Orthodox Christianity Continued and helped preserve art and knowledge that would later cause the Renaissance