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Introduction to the Byzantine Empire

The founding of Constantinople marked the rise of the Byzantine Empire, strategically located on a peninsula. The city benefited from natural harbors that facilitated both military and merchant shipping, along with natural defenses provided by water on three sides. Its position allowed for easy access to the Mediterranean Sea and was crucial in connecting Europe and Asia along the Silk Road. Emperor Constantine transformed Byzantium into a fortified, multi-ethnic capital, often called "New Rome," thus ensuring its prominence even after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

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Introduction to the Byzantine Empire

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  1. Introduction to the Byzantine Empire

  2. Just do it! Look at the following map and answer this question. • What are the advantages of building a major city here?

  3. What are the advantages of building a major city here?

  4. MAP Advantages Peninsula • Provided natural safe harbors for ships • both merchant and military ships • Provided natural defense • water on three sides. (the Black and Aegean Seas)

  5. MAP Advantages Trade • Easy access to the Mediterranean Sea • Located at an important land route that linked Europe and Asia (Silk Road).

  6. The founding of Constantinopleand the Byzantine Empire • Since 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.

  7. 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”

  8. Constantinople • City was heavily fortified • Water on three side plus a wall was built to protect the fourth side. • Multi-ethnic city • Greeks, Persians, Italians, Turks, Slavs, Armenians, and Jews lived in the city • The citizens spoke Greek, but Latin was the official language.

  9. Constantinople • During 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.

  10. In 410 A.D. Rome fell to the Germanic invaders. • However, the city of Constantinople and the eastern empire remained. • This is when the Byzantine Empire started.

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