Who moved the capital of the Roman Empire and what did he name it?
Constantine
He changed the name of the small city of Byzantium to Constantinople
What were the political, economic and military advantages in changing the capital of the eastern Roman Empire to Constantinople?
-Its location helped protect the eastern frontier of the empire
-Distance helped it to be free of the Germanic invasions that were taking place in Western Europe
-It was a crossroads of trade between Europe and Asia
-It was easily fortified on a peninsula
What important role or function did Constantinople serve?
-It was the seat of the Byzantine Empire for about a thousand years until conquered the Ottoman Turks
-It preserved classical Greco-Roman culture
What Byzantine emperor was the first to codify Roman law?
Justinian
What was the significance of Justinian's code?
It provided for the basis for later law codes of Western Europe
What was Justinian's influence on the expansion of the Byzantine Empire?
-He re conquered much of the former Roman territories after the fall of the western part of the empire
-He expanded Trade
When did the Byzantine Empire reach its height in culture and prosperity?
During the time of Justinian. (527-565 AD)
What were the factors that produced a split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Western Roman Catholic Church?
Eastern:
-Centered in Constantinople
-Use of Greek language in liturgy
-Close to seat of power after Constantinople became the capital of the empire
-Did not accept authority of the Roman pope
-Celibacy was not practiced by clergy
Western:
-Centered in Ro
What enabled the Byzantine Empire to develop a unique style of art and architecture?
-Greek Orthodox Christianity
-Imperial patronage
What were the characteristics of Byzantine art and architecture?
-Church inspired art
-Icons: religious images
-Mosaics in public and religious structures, used to give religious messages
-Hagia Sophia: a Byzantine domed church
How did the Greek and Roman culture survive within the Byzantine Empire?
-Continued flourishing of Greco Roman traditions
-Greek language
-Greek Orthodox Church
-Byzantine libraries preserved Greek and Roman knowledge
What was the religious result of the cultural and political differences between the eastern roman empire and the western roman empire?
The unity of the church was weakened and the Christian church was divided
Who finally defeated Constantinople?
The Ottoman Turks in 1453 AD
-They were Muslims from Asia Minor
-They changed the name of Constantinople to Istanbul which became the capital of the Ottoman Empire
Why did the Byzantine Empire have so much influence on Russia and Eastern Europe?
-Trade routes were established between the Black Sea(Constantinople), and the Baltic Sea(Eastern Europe)
-The Russians and many Eastern Europeans adopted Orthodox Christianity
-St. Cyril adapted the Greek language into one that the Slavic people could und