Byzantine Empire: An Intro

Byzantine Empire: An Intro

People, Geography & Trade

The People of the Byzantine Empire

• People living in Byz. Empire were Roman by choice but Greek by Geography, language and culture

• Ppl thought they inherited Roman culture & history

• Life was often better here than Western Roman Empire

The People of the Byzantine Empire

• As West. Roman Empire began to fall, Eastern (Byzantine) Empire grew stronger

• Cities are bigger, wealthier

• Ppl open to new ideas

• Less Prone to barbarian invasions

Multiple Choice

The people in the Byzantine Empire were Roman by choice, but _______ by geography, language and culture:

• Greek

• Barbarian

• Christian

• Jewish

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE: As the Western Roman Empire grew weaker, the Eastern (Byzantine Empire) also grew weaker:

• True

• False

Why the Byzantine Empire?

• As the Western Roman Empire (W.R.E.) collapsed the Eastern Roman Empire is all that remained

• Known as Byzantine Empire b/c of original name of Constantinople (capital) . . . Byzantium

• Would last until until 15th century

A Center for Trade

• Capital city of Constantinople was commercial & cultural center of empire

• Located between the Black Sea & Med. Sea

• Great for trade, sits between Asia & Europe

A Center for Trade

• Constantinople became one of the riches cities

• Protected by strong walls

• Hippodrome in Const.

• Horse & chariot racing, politics took place in giant arena, lined with statues of gods, heroes & emperors

Open Ended

How is this arena, the Hippodrome, and the events that took place in it, similar or different to what we do today?

The Silk Road

• The Silk Road is a series of trade routes between Asia & Europe that Europeans used to get valuable goods from Asia

• These trade routes connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia helped foster the spread of ideas, technology, goods, and religions

The Silk Road

Traders from both Europe & Asia traveled through Constantinople.

Big takeaway: the trade routes made the Byz. Empire a cultural crossroads!

Multiple Select

The Silk Road allowed trade between which 3 continents? (check all that apply)

• North America

• Asia

• Europe

• Africa

Open Ended

Why was the Silk Road Important?