Byzantine Empire

8.3 The Fall of The Byzantine

Empire

10th Grade World History

Standards & Student Objectives

10.1.3 Students analyze the causes and effects of the vast expansion

and ultimate

disintegration of the Roman Empire

Students will be able to describe the factors that contributed to the

decline of the Byzantine Empire.

Key Vocabulary

Crisis - a time of intense difficulty or danger.
Plague - a contagious bacterial disease characterized by
fever and dangerous sickness.
Barbarians - (in ancient times) a member of a people not
belonging to one of the “great” civilizations (Greek,
Roman).
Persians - a native or inhabitant of ancient or modern
Persia (Iran), or a person of Persian descent.
Ottoman - a member of a Turkish dynasty founded by
Osman I that ruled the Ottoman Empire

Warm up Activity: Analyze the Quote

“Either I conquer
Istanbul or Istanbul
conquers me."

-Sultan Mehmed II The
Conqueror

Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II Capturing

Constantinople. May 29, 1453 CE

1.

The Plague of Justinian

●

After Justinian’s death in 565 CE, the empire suffered countless
setbacks and began to decline.

●

Some of the causes were street riots, religious quarrels, palace
intrigues, internal political turmoil, and foreign dangers.

●

The first crisis actually began before Justinian’s death. It was a
disease that resembled what we now know as the bubonic
plague.

●

Historians estimate that in 542 CE, the worst year of the plague,
10,000 people were dying every day.

●

The illness broke out repeatedly until around 700, when it finally
faded. By that time, it had destroyed a huge percentage of the
Byzantine population.

2. Attacks from East and West

● The Byzantines used bribes, diplomacy, political marriages, and

military power to keep their enemies at bay.

● In the seventh century, Emperor Heraclius reorganized the

empire along military lines.

● These strategies, however, could not work forever. Slowly, the

Byzantine Empire shrank under the impact of foreign attacks.

● By 1350 CE, it was reduced to the tip of Anatolia and a strip of

the Balkans. Yet thanks to its walls, its fleet, and its strategic
location, Constantinople held out for another 100 years.

● Finally, the city fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 CE.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was NOT a method used by the Byzantines to maintain their power?

• Bribery

• Diplomacy

• Political marriages

• Colonization

Multiple Choice

What major event occurred in the seventh century under Emperor Heraclius?

• The empire's military was significantly reorganized.

• Byzantine Empire expanded into North Africa.

• The first Crusade was launched.

• Constantinople was sacked by the Persians.

Multiple Choice

Despite facing numerous challenges, how long did Constantinople remain a significant power after its territory was significantly reduced?

• 50 years

• 100 years

• 150 years

• 200 years

​After Justinian’s death in 565 CE, the empire suffered countless setbacks and began to decline. 

• Some of the causes were street riots, religious quarrels, palace intrigues, internal political turmoil, and foreign dangers.

• The first crisis actually began before Justinian’s death. It was a disease that resembled what we now know as the bubonic plague.

• Historians estimate that in 542 CE, the worst year of the plague, 10,000 people were dying every day.

• The illness broke out repeatedly until around 700, when it finally faded. By that time, it had destroyed a huge percentage of the Byzantine population.

Multiple Choice

What was the primary cause of the Byzantine Empire's decline after Justinian's death?

• A single, decisive battle

• A series of devastating earthquakes

• A combination of internal and external challenges

• The loss of key trading routes

Multiple Choice

What was the estimated daily death toll during the worst year of the plague?

• 1,000

• 5,000

• 20,000

• 10,000

Multiple Choice

How long did the plague outbreaks continue to plague the Byzantine Empire?

• Approximately 50 years

• Approximately 200 years

• Approximately 100 years

• Approximately 150 years

Byzantine Empire 1453 CE (Constantine XI)

Open Ended

How did the Byzantine Empire preserve and
transmit classical Greek and Roman culture?

Exit Ticket Activity (Think, Pair, Share)

What was the legacy of the Roman Empire on
the Byzantine Empire?

Open Ended

What was the legacy of the Roman Empire on
the Byzantine Empire?

Poll

How well do you understand the Byzantine empire?

• Not at all

• somewhat

• well

• Very well