Introduction to the Byzantine Empire

Just do it!Look at the following map and

answer this question. (a map is also on pg. 323 of your

text)

What are the advantages of building a major city here?

What are the advantages of building a major city here?

AdvantagesPeninsula

Provided natural safe harbors for ships

both merchant and military ships

Provided natural defensewater on three sides. (the Black and Aegean Seas)

MAP

AdvantagesTrade

Easy access to the Mediterranean SeaLocated at an important land route that linked Europe and Asia (Silk Road)

MAP

The founding of Constantinople

and the Byzantine EmpireSince the Rule of Diocletian (in the late 200s A.D.) The Roman Empire was divided in two

Western and Eastern Empires

The Western half was being weakened by constant attacking Germanic invaders.In 330 A.D. Emperor Constantine decided to relocate the capital.

He chose to locate the capital at the Greek city of Byzantium, later renamed Constantinople. (this was the area we looked at on the map) Constantine molded the new capital after Rome

Often referred to as “new Rome”

ConstantinopleCity was heavily fortified

Water on three side plus a wall was built to protect the fourth side.

Multi-ethnic cityGreeks, Persians, Italians, Turks, Slavs, Armenians, and Jews lived in the city

The citizens spoke Greek, but Latin was the official language.

ConstantinopleDuring Constantine's rule over 600, 000 people lived in the city.Constantine convinced many wealthy Romans to move to the city by offering to build them palaces.

In 410 A.D. Rome feel to the Germanic invadersHowever the city of Constantinople and the eastern empire remainedThis is when the Byzantine Empire started.