1. Where was Constantinople? (Istanbul today)

2. Why might this location have been important?

5. Why would this city be difficult to conquer?

6. A Highway Bridge across the Bosporus

7. The Batman and Robin Method (a.k.a. Making “Big” Connections) A writing strategy starring your very own Fact and Fact Commentary

8. “Batman” Fact Directly related to the topic of the body paragraph Bridges from the topic sentence and/or previous commentary For Example: – The capital of Constantinople was built at a major crossroads of land and sea trade routes connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, called the Bosporus Strait.

9. “Robin” Fact Commentary Provides detail about the fact by making a connection to something else we studied this year For Example: – When Constantine established Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire, it may have led to the weakening and eventual fall of Rome in the west around 476 CE. (Rome, Unit 4) – Silk Road…(River Valley Civilizations, India & China, Unit 2) – Christianity…(World Religions, Unit 5) – Trade Routes…(Trade & Economics, Unit 6)

10. Batman and Robin The capital of Constantinople was built at a major crossroads of land and sea trade routes connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, called the Bosporus Strait. When Constantine established Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire, it may have led to the weakening and eventual fall of Rome in the west around 476 CE.