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I. Read the Background Notes on the Byzantine Empire. As you read the
Notes, answer the study questions below. You will need to answer the
questions on a separate piece of paper.
Background Reading
BYZANTINE EMPIRE
The Byzantine Empire was also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, for it was in fact a
continuation of the Roman Empire from when it split into Eastern and Western parts. The capital of the
Eastern Roman Empire was changed to Constantinople for political, economic, and military advantages. At
its greatest size, during the 500’s AD (Justinian’s rule), the Byzantine Empire included parts of southern and
eastern Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa.
The Byzantine people called themselves Romans although they were actually descendants of various
ancient peoples and they spoke Greek. The word Byzantine, in fact, comes from “Byzantium”, which is the
Greek name a the city on the Bosporus. The Greeks colonized the area first, in the mid 600’s BC, even
before Alexander the Great brought his troops there. Greek culture continued its influence long after the
region became part of the Roman Empire, in the 100’s BC. But it was when Roman emperor Constantine
the Great moved the capital of the Empire from Rome to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople, in 330
AD, that the Byzantine Empire really began. Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire was ruled by Roman
laws and political institutions, its upper class spoke Latin, but its common people spoke Greek.
The city of Constantinople was an easily fortified site on a peninsula bordering a natural harbor. It
was also located on the strait of Bosporus. This allowed it to control trade between central Asia and the
Mediterranean world. It was an ideal location from which to protect the eastern frontiers from invaders,
while at the same time distancing itself from the Germanic invasions in the western empire. The Byzantine
Empire and Constantinople lasted for over 1000 years under the control of the Byzantine emperors.
The most well known Byzantine emperor was Justinian. He ruled from 483-565 AD. Justinian is
known for 3 things:
a. He ruled the Byzantine empire when it was at its largest size. It controlled most lands around the
Mediterranean Sea, including parts of Italy, Spain, the Balkan peninsula, the Middle East, Egypt and North
Africa. This expansion led to more trade throughout the Empire, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
b. He built Hagia Sophia or the Church of Holy Wisdom. It was the largest Christian church in
Constantinople. It was filled with mosaics, icons, and frescoes.
c. He codified Roman laws. Justinian ordered the Roman law codes to be reorganized because they
were so confusing. This reorganization became known as Justinian’s Code. All aspects of
Byzantine/Roman law were eventually reorganized and rewritten. These law codes became the basis of later
law codes in Western Europe.
Greek Orthodox Christianity and the Byzantine emperors had a strong influence on Byzantine art,
music, and architecture. Since Constantinople was the political center of the Empire, it was also the
educational center, where future government officials learned to read and write the language of ancient
Greece and Rome. Byzantine students studied Greek and Latin classics in literature, philosophy, science,
medicine, art and rhetoric. These works were preserved in Byzantine libraries. This period produced
remarkable works in history as well as fine poetry and a large amount of religious prose. All the visual arts
flourished too. Most of the artists worked as servants of the court or belonged to religious orders and they
remained anonymous. Ivory carvings, Byzantine crosses, and “illuminations”, or small manuscript paintings
(illuminated manuscripts) show their skill. Byzantine icons were Orthodox religious images of saints and
other religious figures. Examples of Byzantine architecture include churches and public buildings. They
included glorious frescoes and mosaics, a picture made of tiny pieces of colored glass or stone. With Hagia
Sophia as an example, their architects and artisans reached heady heights of magnificence.
For 1100 years, the Byzantine emperors were able to maintain control of their empire, although
somewhat tenuously at times; the empire’s expansion and prosperity were balanced by internal religious
problems and recurring wars with outside enemies. Finally, in 1453, weakened by recurring waves of attack,
the Ottoman Turks overcame the exhausted and a new era of leadership began. The Ottoman Empire was to
last until 1922. The Byzantine Empire had left its mark on the western culture, never to be entirely erased.
II. Study Questions
1. What was another name for the Byzantine Empire? Why was it called this?
2. When was the Byzantine Empire at its greatest size?
3. How did the Byzantine Empire get its name?
4. What civilization had the greatest influence on the city of Byzantium? Explain.
5. Who founded the city of Constantinople? When?
6. What 2 civilizations influenced the Byzantine Empire? How?
7. Why was the location of the city of Constantinople so important?
8. What was emperor Justinian known for? Explain why each was important.
9. Name 5 places ruled by the Byzantine Empire at its height.
10. Why was Constantinople so important to the preservation of Greek and Roman culture
11. Name 3 types of art for which Byzantine artists were known.
12. Who conquered the Byzantine Empire? When? Why?
Hagia Sophia - Virtual Tour
Directions: Please use the website below to answer the following questions:
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/haso/hd_haso.htm
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1. What was the original name of the Hagia Sophia?
2. What does “Hagia Sophia” mean?
3. Whose idea was to build the Hagia Sophia out of the “Great Church?” When was it completed?
4. What is the significance of the dome’s bearing structure being hidden from the eye?
5. When did the Ottoman Turks capture Constantinople and move into the Hagia Sophia?
6. Which emperor is credited with building the Great Church?