The Fall of the Byzantine Empire

1. The Fall of the Byzantine Empire Chapter 9 (3 of 4)

2. Following the church schism of 1054,the Byzantine Empire began a long period of decline

3. Seljuk Turks (Muslims) invaded from east and took Byzantine land in Asia in the 1000s This is where most of Byzantine peasant farmers lived, so empire loses source of food and tax money Battle of Manzikert (1071) – Seljuk Turks annihilate Byzantines Byzantine Empire lasted 400 years, but never as strong after this

4. Another Reason For Church Split Western Europe gets motivated by this to fight the Crusades in the Middle East, but this doesn’t help Byzantines In fact, at one point the crusaders actually attack Constantinople and temporarily take control of Constantinople Byzantines plead for help from western Europe (Catholics) for help against the Turks, but no help is sent

5. Serbia (and other Slavic state) begin breaking away from Byzantine Empire, showing empire’s crumbling power

6. Byzantines Last Stand In 1453 the Turks conquer Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire comes to an end The Turks, who are Muslim, set up the Ottoman Empire, which will rule the region for centuries

7. Legacy of the Byzantine Empire • Among it greatest contributions was stopping Muslims from attacking the rest of Europe before the West was able to defend itself • The Empire increased trade • The Empire preserved classic Greek learning • After it fell, its influence would be seen in later societies in eastern Europe