1.3 - Byzantine Foundation
- 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.