Download The Rise of the Byzantines

The Rise of the
Byzantines
The Rise of the Byzantines


Main Idea:
The Eastern Roman Empire grew rich and powerful as the Western
Roman Empire Fell.
The Rise of the Byzantines


Lecture Focus:
Think of your own community, how have groups of people
from different backgrounds contributed to its character.
The Rise of the Byzantines

What would your town or city be like without these contributions
from all different ethnic groups.
The Rise of the Byzantines

The Eastern Roman, or Byzantine Empire reached a high point in
500 C.E.

At this time, the empire stretched west to Italy, south to Egypt
and east to Arabia.
The Rise of the Byzantines


Greeks made up the Empire’s largest group, but many other
peoples were found within the Empire.
Those included were Egyptians, Syrians, Arabs, Armenians, Jews,
Persians, Slavs and Turks…a very diverse group of people
Why is Constantinople Important

In the last unit, you learned that Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the
Roman Empire from Rome to a new city called Constantinople.

Constantine's city became the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
Why is Constantinople Important

By 500 C.E., Constantinople was thriving and had become one of the
worlds great cities.
Why is Constantinople Important

One reason for Constantinople’s success was its location, it lay on the water ways
between the Black Sea (N E) and the Aegean Sea (S W)

Its harbors offered a safe shelter for fishing boats, trade ships and warships.
Why is Constantinople Important


Constantinople also sat at the crossroads of trade routes
between Europe and Asia.
The trade that passed through made the city extremely wealthy.
Why is Constantinople Important
Constantinople had a
secure land location, lying
on a peninsula, the city
could be easily defended.


Seas protected it on three
sides and on the fourth
side, a huge wall was built
to guard the city.

.
Why is Constantinople Important
Why is Constantinople Important
Why is Constantinople Important
Why is Constantinople Important

Later a huge chain was even strung across the city’s north
harbor for greater protections.

Constantinople could not be taken by invaders easily.
Why is Constantinople Important
Why is Constantinople Important
 Questions:
 What
Roman Emperor moved his capital city?
 What
was the name of this city?
 What
were the names of the two seas in which this
city was between?
 What
so perfectly protected the city from
invaders?
Why is Constantinople Important

Questions:

What Roman Emperor moved his capital city?


What was the name of this city?


Constantinople
What were the names of the two seas in which this city was between?


Emperor Constantine
The Black Sea and the Aegean Sea
What so perfectly protected the city from invaders?

Seas protected the city on three sides and a huge wall on the fourth side
Influence of Greek Culture


The Byzantines at first followed the Roman Ways.
Constantinople was known as “New Rome” and its public
buildings and palaces were built in a Roman style.
Influence of Greek Culture

The city even had an oval arena called the Hippodrome, where
chariot races and other events were held.
Influence of Greek Culture
Influence of Greek Culture

Byzantine political and social life also were based on that of Rome.

Emperors spoke Latin and enforced Roman Laws.
Influence of Greek Culture


The empire’s poor people received free bread and shows of
entertainment.
Wealthy people lived in town or on large farming estates…in fact many
of these wealthy people had once lived in Rome.
Influence of Greek Culture

As time passed, the Byzantine Empire became less Roman and more Greek.

Most Byzantines spoke Greek and honored their Greek past.
Influence of Greek Culture
Influence of Greek Culture


Byzantine Emperors and officials began to speak Greek as well…
Some ideas also came from the Egyptians and the Slavs, though not as
much as Greece.
Influence of Greek Culture


Some other customs came from Persia into the Byzantine Empire.
All of these cultures blended together to form a unique Byzantine Civilization.
Influence of Greek Culture

Between 500 C.E. and 1200 C.E., the Byzantines had one of the world’s
richest and most advances Empires.
Influence of Greek Culture
 Questions:
 What
was Constantinople known as?
 As
time passed the Byzantine Empire became less
Roman and more like ____________?
 What
other countries and empires had an
influence on the Byzantine Empire?
Influence of Greek Culture

Questions:

What was Constantinople known as?


As time passed the Byzantine Empire became less
Roman and more like ____________?


“New Rome”
Greek
What other countries and empires had an influence on
the Byzantine Empire?

Egypt, Persia and Slavs
Influence of Greek Culture
 Reading
 Why
Check:
do you think the Byzantine Empire had such a
blending of such different cultures?
 Answer
in 2-3 well written sentences…