Byzantine Empire UnitByzantine Empire Unit

We will be learning about the We will be learning about the Byzantine Empire in this next unit.Byzantine Empire in this next unit.

By the end of the unit, we will know:By the end of the unit, we will know: Major events in Byzantine HistoryMajor events in Byzantine History Impact that the Byzantine Empire had Impact that the Byzantine Empire had

on Eastern Europe and Russiaon Eastern Europe and Russia Key vocabularyKey vocabulary Byzantine’s impact on the preservation Byzantine’s impact on the preservation

of Greco-Roman culture.of Greco-Roman culture.

The BasicsThe Basics Byzantine Empire Byzantine Empire

forms from forms from Eastern Roman Eastern Roman Empire.Empire.

Area is blend of Area is blend of Roman, Greek, and Roman, Greek, and Christian culture. Christian culture. (Greco-Roman)(Greco-Roman)

Empire lasts from Empire lasts from AD 330 to 1453.AD 330 to 1453.

This civilization This civilization impacts Russia and impacts Russia and Eastern Europe.Eastern Europe.

Goals For TodayGoals For Today

Today we will:Today we will: Identify what the ancient city of Identify what the ancient city of

Constantinople was like by reading a Constantinople was like by reading a quote about the city.quote about the city.

Identify why the Capital city of the Identify why the Capital city of the Roman Empire was moved to the city of Roman Empire was moved to the city of Constantinople.Constantinople.

Analyze why Constantinople was such a Analyze why Constantinople was such a successful city.successful city.

Quotation ActivityQuotation Activity ““Now you may know that those who had never Now you may know that those who had never

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

-Marzials’ G. De Villehardouin-Marzials’ G. De Villehardouin

The Roman Empire Moves The Roman Empire Moves EastEast

Constantine moves capital of Roman Constantine moves capital of Roman Empire to Byzantium, renames it Empire to Byzantium, renames it ConstantinopleConstantinople

Why?Why? Far from invasions (Huns)Far from invasions (Huns) Easier to defend on peninsulaEasier to defend on peninsula Closer to wealth of trade routes along Closer to wealth of trade routes along

Aegean and Black Seas.Aegean and Black Seas.

Today’s Big Question:Today’s Big Question:

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

Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire

ConstantinopleConstantinople The original Greek city on this site was The original Greek city on this site was

Byzantium.Byzantium. The location of Constantinople had many The location of Constantinople had many

advantages.advantages. It was a waterway between great areas of trade in It was a waterway between great areas of trade in

Europe and Asia.Europe and Asia. Its location allowed it to control land and water trade.Its location allowed it to control land and water trade. It has a good harbor that creates a safe haven for It has a good harbor that creates a safe haven for

fishing boats, merchants and warshipsfishing boats, merchants and warships It is protected by water on 3 sides.It is protected by water on 3 sides. The 4The 4thth side is protected by a huge wall. side is protected by a huge wall. It protects the Eastern frontierIt protects the Eastern frontier It is further away from Germany and it’s invaders.It is further away from Germany and it’s invaders.

Map of ConstantinopleMap of Constantinople

Constantinople cont…Constantinople cont…

It took only FOUR years to build up It took only FOUR years to build up Constantinople from the smaller town of Constantinople from the smaller town of Byzantium.Byzantium.

The city was heavily influenced by Roman The city was heavily influenced by Roman culture.culture. It was located on several hills.It was located on several hills. Its government buildings and palaces were Its government buildings and palaces were

molded after those found in Rome.molded after those found in Rome. Constantinople even had a building like the Constantinople even had a building like the

Circus Maximus called the HippodromeCircus Maximus called the Hippodrome What did they do there?What did they do there?

Constantinople cont.Constantinople cont. The political and social life was also The political and social life was also

modeled after Rome.modeled after Rome. The Emperor operated under Roman laws.The Emperor operated under Roman laws. The army followed Roman military The army followed Roman military

customs.customs. The poor received bread and were The poor received bread and were

entertained by circuses and chariot races entertained by circuses and chariot races just like Rome.just like Rome.

Where were the chariot races?Where were the chariot races?

The family was the center of social life.The family was the center of social life. Most families made their living by Most families made their living by

farming, herding or working as laborersfarming, herding or working as laborers

Citizens of Citizens of ConstantinopleConstantinople

About 600,000 people lived in About 600,000 people lived in Constantinople during Constantine’s Constantinople during Constantine’s rule.rule. Among them were Greeks, Turks, Among them were Greeks, Turks,

Italians, Slavs, Persians, Armenians, Italians, Slavs, Persians, Armenians, and Jewsand Jews

They spoke Greek to each other and They spoke Greek to each other and Latin for official government business.Latin for official government business.

ReflectionReflection

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