1. The Byzantine Empire

2. Birth of Byzantine Empire Augustus founded the Roman Empire in 27 BCE Weakening by 3 rd Century CE (200s) In 285 CE, Emperor Diocletian realized that the empire was too large and weak for one ruler Split it into 2 halves, one emperor each Emperor Constantine made city of Byzantine capital  Constantinople Byzantine Empire (a.k.a. Eastern Roman Empire, a.k.a. Byzantium) continued on until 1453 CE

3. Byzantine Empire’s Success Unlike WRE, had lots of cities (trade, government, population) Fertile farmland in Anatolia = large quantities of food = large population Emperors could collect tax money to pay for large army to protect borders City of Constantinople surrounded by water  hard to capture

5. Justinian (ruled 527-565) Absolute monarch (Caesaropapism) Justinian’s Code Building Program in Constantinople Reconquest

6. Cultural Interaction Byzantine Culture = Greek Culture + Roman Culture + Asian Culture

7. Maps of the Byzantine Empire The following maps show how the Byzantine Empire shrank and expanded because of crises and recovery Focus your attention on the areas in dark blue—they represent Byzantine Empire Ignore red and light colored areas

13. Exterior View of the Church of San Vitale

16. Gold coin, a solidus, from the reign of Justinian

17. Exterior and interior views of Hagia Sophia