Byzantine Empire Unit

1
Byzantine Empire Unit

• We will be learning about the Byzantine Empire in
  this next unit.
• By the end of the unit, we will know
• Major events in Byzantine History
• Impact that the Byzantine Empire had on Eastern
  Europe and Russia
• Key vocabulary
• Byzantines impact on the preservation of
  Greco-Roman culture.

2
The Basics

• Byzantine Empire forms from Eastern Roman Empire.
• Area is blend of Roman, Greek, and Christian
  culture. (Greco-Roman)
• Empire lasts from AD 330 to 1453.
• This civilization impacts Russia and Eastern
  Europe.

3
Goals For Today

• Today we will
• Identify what the ancient city of Constantinople
  was like by reading a quote about the city.
• Identify why the Capital city of the Roman Empire
  was moved to the city of Constantinople.
• Analyze why Constantinople was such a successful
  city.

4
Quotation Activity

• Now you may know that those who had never before
  seen Constantinople looked upon it very
  earnestly, for they never thought there could be
  in all the world so rich a city and they marked
  the high walls and strong towers that enclosed it
  round about, and the rich palaces and mighty
  churches of which there were so many that no
  one would have believed it who had not seen it
  with his eyes and the height and length of that
  city which above all others was sovereign. And
  it be known to you, that no man there was of such
  hardihood but his flesh trembled and it was no
  wonder, for never was so great an enterprise
  undertaken by any people since the creation of
  the world.
• -Marzials G. De Villehardouin

5
The Roman Empire Moves East

• Constantine moves capital of Roman Empire to
  Byzantium, renames it Constantinople
• Why?
• Far from invasions (Huns)
• Easier to defend on peninsula
• Closer to wealth of trade routes along Aegean and
  Black Seas.

6
Todays Big Question

• Why was Constantinople established as the
  Eastern Roman Empire (or Byzantine Empire)?

7
Byzantine Empire
8
Constantinople

• The original Greek city on this site was
  Byzantium.
• The location of Constantinople had many
  advantages.
• It was a waterway between great areas of trade in
  Europe and Asia.
• Its location allowed it to control land and water
  trade.
• It has a good harbor that creates a safe haven
  for fishing boats, merchants and warships
• It is protected by water on 3 sides.
• The 4th side is protected by a huge wall.
• It protects the Eastern frontier
• It is further away from Germany and its invaders.

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Map of Constantinople
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Constantinople cont

• It took only FOUR years to build up
  Constantinople from the smaller town of
  Byzantium.
• The city was heavily influenced by Roman culture.
• It was located on several hills.
• Its government buildings and palaces were molded
  after those found in Rome.
• Constantinople even had a building like the
  Circus Maximus called the Hippodrome
• What did they do there?

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Constantinople cont.

• The political and social life was also modeled
  after Rome.
• The Emperor operated under Roman laws.
• The army followed Roman military customs.
• The poor received bread and were entertained by
  circuses and chariot races just like Rome.
• Where were the chariot races?
• The family was the center of social life.
• Most families made their living by farming,
  herding or working as laborers

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Citizens of Constantinople

• About 600,000 people lived in Constantinople
  during Constantines rule.
• Among them were Greeks, Turks, Italians, Slavs,
  Persians, Armenians, and Jews
• They spoke Greek to each other and Latin for
  official government business.

13
Reflection

• Do you think Constantine was smart to move the
  capital from Rome to Byzantium (Constantinople)?
  Why yes or no?