1. Byzantine Culture [Image source: http://www.qub.ac.uk/ibs/skylitzes.jpg]

2. Byzantine scholars preserved Greek philosophy and literature, Roman political and legal ideas, and Christian theology (religious teachings). [Image source: http://www.hyperbooks.com/images/scribe.jpg]

3. The Byzantines also created new art forms and spread the religion of the Eastern Orthodox Church into eastern Europe. [Image source: http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Cyril- Methodius.jpg]

4. Although Byzantine society was divided into a hierarchy of social groups, there were few barriers preventing a person moving from one group to another. [Image source: http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/PLATE10 BX.HTML]

5. The family was the center of social life for most Byzantines. [Image source: http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/PL ATE8AX.HTML]

6. Marriage was supported by the Church and government as a sacred institution. [Image source: http://www.pallasart.com/pics/BM016-B.jpg]

7. Divorce was difficult to obtain, and the Church generally forbade more than one remarriage. [Image source http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/PLATE9DX.HTML]

8. Byzantine women were expected to live partly in seclusion, so rooms were set aside in homes and churches expressly for their use. [Image source: http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/PLATE8CX.HTML]

9. Some women became well- educated and were influential in the government. [Image source: http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/PLATE 8BX.HTML]

10. Several women governed as regents (temporary rulers). [Image source: http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/PLATE10CX.HTML]

11. A few women even ruled outright as empresses. [Image source: http://xenohistorian.faithweb.com/europe/Theodora.jpg]

12. Most Byzantines made a living through, farming, herding, or working as labourers. [Image source: http://courses.washington.edu/drama416/images/byzantine/byzantine4.jpg]

13. Constantinople, which was the site of a natural crossroads for trade, thrived on commerce. [Image source: http://www.sbceo.k12.ca.us/~vms/carlton/constantinople5.jpg]

14. Constantinople’s busy harbour was called the Golden Horn.

15. The Golden Horn was often full of ships bearing cargoes from around the world. [Image source: http://www.callisto.si.usherb.ca/~c roisade/IMAGES/flotte.jpg]

16. Ships loaded with cargo sailed between the Mediterranean and Black seas. [Image source: http://www.artsales.com/Ancient%20Ships/Mercha33.gif]

17. Byzantine merchants traded agricultural goods, furs, and slaves from northern Europe... [Image source: http://www.ucalgary.ca/HIST/tutor/imagemid/hanseatic.gif]

18. ... for cloves and sandalwood from the East Indies, pepper, copper, and gems from India, and Ceylon, and silk from China. [Image source: http://depts.washington.edu/uwch/silkroad/exhibit/trade/trade_routes.jpg]

19. The major Byzantine industry was weaving silk. [Image source: http://www.accd.edu/pac/humaniti/1301_tc/xornelas/Mvc-006l.jpg]

20. Some Eastern Orthodox monks smuggled silkworm eggs out of China inside of hollow bamboo canes and brought them to Constantinople. [Image source: http://www.usc.edu/isd/locations/science/hancock/nathist/pasteur.gif]