TED-ED: The rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire - Leonora Neville

The video explores the Byzantine Empire, which began in 330 CE when Constantine moved the Roman capital to Constantinople. Despite the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire thrived for over a millennium, maintaining Roman traditions and advancing in art, technology, and intellectual pursuits. Key figures like Anna Komnene and Leo the mathematician contributed to its rich history. However, internal strife and external threats led to its decline, culminating in the Ottoman conquest in 1453. The term 'Byzantine Empire' was coined during the Renaissance to distinguish it from the classical Roman Empire.

What significant event marked the beginning of the Byzantine Empire?

• Constantine moving the capital to Constantinople

• The founding of the city of Rome

• The fall of the Western Roman Empire

• The sacking of Rome by the Visigoths

What architectural feature was a highlight of the Imperial Palace in Constantinople?

• Simple wooden furniture

• Stone walls

• Golden lions and a hidden organ

• Wooden structures

Which of the following was NOT a trade practiced by working-class Byzantines?

• Ceramics

• Gold mining

• Leather working

• Silk manufacturing

Who was Anna Komnene?

• A Byzantine architect

• A Byzantine artist

• A Byzantine intellectual and historian

• A Byzantine emperor

What was the purpose of the beacon system invented by Leo the Mathematician?

• To light up the city

• To warn the emperor of invading armies

• To communicate with other empires

• To guide ships to the harbor

What event in 1203 significantly weakened the Byzantine Empire?

• The death of Constantine

• The sacking of Rome

• The fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans

• The Crusaders' attack on Constantinople

When was the term 'Byzantine Empire' first used?

• During the fall of Constantinople

• In the early 21st century

• During the Renaissance

• In the 9th century