1. In the East . . . The Byzantine Empire

2. Early history • Before the Western Roman Empire “fell,” Constantine had moved the most important functions of the government east, to Constantinople (formerly known as Byzantium) • This would be a Christian capital (because there were so many pagans in Rome)

3. Early history • The Eastern Empire avoided many problems due to Constantinople’s location as a trading crossroads • The East therefore prospered and, after the Western Empire “fell,” became known as the Byzantine Empire

4. A Tale of Two Empires • Roman culture did not die out in western Europe because the Germanic tribes that took over were influenced by: 1. the Latin language 2. Roman culture 3. the Roman Catholic Church

5. A Tale of Two Empires • Roman culture did not die out in western Europe because the Germanic tribes that took over were influenced by: 1. the Latin language 2. Roman culture 3. the Roman Catholic Church • In the Byzantine Empire, the following became dominant: 1. the Greek language 2. Hellenistic culture 3. the Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Church (the first split - or schism - in Christianity – A.D. 1054)

6. Decline and Fall • The Byzantine Empire grew (see map on page 286) but then started experiencing attacks on all sides • In 1453, the Ottoman Turks finally took Constantinople • Byzantine civilization lives on in the civilizations of the Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe (in today’s Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia, etc.)