1.3 - Byzantine Foundation

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1. The Byzantine Empire The Eastern Roman Empire
2. The Byzantine Empire • The Byzantine Empire was a continuation of the Roman Empire in the east. • Emperor Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium (Constantinople). • After the fall of the western empire, the east lasted for another 1000 years. • The east and west shared Christianity, but disagreed regarding doctrine, which resulted in the Great Schism.
3. Constantinople • 800 miles east of Rome. • The site was easy to defend. ◦ Surrounded on three sides by water. • They made a chain across the harbor to guard against seafaring intruders. • There were miles of walls, fortified by watchtowers and gates.
4. Constantinople • It stood at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and the many sea and overland routes connecting the two continents. • The location and some of it s citizens, became extremely wealthy due to the location. • It was the richest city in the Mediterranean for 700 years. • In the markets there was ivory, silk, furs, perfumes, etc.
5. Why was Constantinople ideally located to be the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
6. Constantinople was easy to defend and it lay at the crossroads of many sea and overland trade routes linking east and west.
7. What were some of C a i le ai features?
8. Constantinople was surrounded by water on three sides and fortified by miles of walls with watchtowers and gates. A large chain protected the mouth of its harbor. The city had a sewer system, hospitals, homes for the elderly, and orphanages.
9. Constantinople • At its height, it was home to 1 million people. • The city s language and culture were Greek (unlike Western Rome, which was Latin). • Traders and visitors however, spoke many languages. • Ships with goods crowded the harbor and the streets teamed with camels and mules.
10. Constantinople • The city has a sewer system, which was rare during medieval times. • Social services were provided by hospitals, homes for the elderly, and orphanages. • Many people lived in poverty. ◦ The emperor gave bread to those who couldn t find work. ◦ In return they performed jobs such as sweeping the streets and weeding the garden.
11. Constantinople • Almost everyone attended chariot races at the Hippodrome (stadium). • Two chariot teams (one blue, one green) were fierce rivals. ◦ Often resulted in deadly street fighting. • As a result people on opposing sides were called Blues or Greens . ◦ In 532, the two groups united in what was almost a rebellion.