Chapter 2: The Byzantine Empire

1. What was the strategic importance of Constantinople's location in the Byzantine Empire?

• It was situated at the crossroads of major trade routes between Europe and Asia.
• It was in the middle of the Roman Empire's western territories.
• It provided easy access to invade northern Europe.
• It was isolated, which helped protect it from invasions.

2. What was the primary goal of Emperor Justinian’s creation of the Justinian Code?

• To create a new system of government for the Byzantine Empire.
• To standardize laws across the empire and preserve Roman legal traditions.
• To establish a set of laws that would be accepted by all conquered territories.
• To eliminate the influence of religion in Byzantine law.

3. How did the construction of the Hagia Sophia reflect Byzantine religious beliefs?

• It was built with multiple smaller chapels to encourage private worship.
• It emphasized the importance of military defense by doubling as a fortress.
• Its grand scale and elaborate mosaics symbolized the connection between the empire and the Christian church.
• The Hagia Sophia was constructed to symbolize peace between Christians and Muslims.

4. How did the use of Greek rather than Latin reflect changes in the Byzantine Empire over time?

• It indicated the growing influence of the Islamic Caliphate in the empire.
• It showed a break with Roman traditions and the development of a distinct Byzantine culture.
• Greek was simpler to understand for traders from across the empire.
• It reflected the empire’s geographical shift to focus more on the western Roman territories.

5. What role did religion play in the Great Schism between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church?

• Religious leaders disagreed on the legitimacy of the pope’s authority over all Christians.
• Disputes over the role of the clergy led to violence in both churches.
• The Great Schism was caused by disagreements over which religion should dominate the empire: Christianity or Islam.
• Religious leaders from both sides wanted to merge the churches but couldn't agree on which language should be used for worship.

6. What led to the ultimate downfall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453?

• Poor governance and economic mismanagement.
• Continuous invasions from the Mongol Empire weakened the Byzantine military.
• The rise of the Ottoman Empire, which eventually conquered Constantinople, effectively ended the Byzantine Empire.
• A rebellion by Christian leaders in Constantinople resulted in its collapse.

7. How did the Justinian Code impact legal systems in Europe?

• It introduced democratic principles to European legal systems.
• It formed the foundation for many modern legal systems in Europe by codifying Roman law.
• It rejected earlier Roman laws in favor of more religiously influenced codes.
• It limited the rights of women and non-citizens across Europe.

8. Why was the Hagia Sophia considered a symbol of the Byzantine Empire’s strength and unity?

• It was built by Emperor Justinian after he defeated the Ottomans.
• Its location at the empire’s border served as a military outpost against invaders.
• Its massive size and intricate design represented the blending of Roman and Byzantine cultures, as well as the close relationship between church and state.
• It housed a large amount of Byzantine treasure, which represented the empire's wealth.

9. How did Theodora influence the Byzantine Empire during Justinian’s reign?

• She expanded trade by establishing new relations with neighboring empires.
• She enacted reforms to improve the rights of women and played a crucial role in quelling the Nika Revolt.
• She led the Byzantine army during critical battles in the empire’s expansion.
• She negotiated peace with the Persian Empire and expanded Byzantine territory in the east.

10. What was the significance of the Nika Revolt during Justinian’s reign?

• It was a popular movement to reform the Byzantine legal system.
• It threatened to overthrow Justinian’s rule and burn Constantinople before being violently suppressed.
• It was a successful revolt that forced Justinian to flee Constantinople.
• It demonstrated the increasing power of the Byzantine military.