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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:
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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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • Questions: • What Roman Emperor moved his capital city? • Emperor Constantine • What was the name of this city? • Constantinople • What were the names of the two seas in which this city was between? • 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 • 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 • 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? • “New Rome” • As time passed the Byzantine Empire became less Roman and more like ____________? • Greek • What other countries and empires had an influence on the Byzantine Empire? • Egypt, Persia and Slavs
Influence of Greek Culture • Reading Check: • Why do you think the Byzantine Empire had such a blending of such different cultures? • Answer in 2-3 well written sentences…
