The Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire

1. Constantinople

   • sat at a crossroads of land and sea routes
     • Ruled by Constantine (named after himself)
       • Had an elaborate system of land and sea walls to bolster its defenses

2. Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565

   • Determined to revive ancient Rome
     • Rebuilt the Hagia Sophia
       • A house of worship for Christians that was later turned into an Islamic house of worship
   • Created Justinian's code
     • Laws passed by Roman assemblies or decreed by Roman emporers and legal writings of Roman judges

3. The Great Schism

   • The division of the Church into the Eastern and Western
     • Caused by differences between the branches especially the use of icons
     • The Eastern branch was also known as Greek Orthodox and the Western branch was known as Roman Catholic

4. Empire collapses

   • Byzantine Empire was in decline during the time of the schism
   • Crusades burned the city
     • Venetian merchants gained control of Byzantine trade
   • Ottoman forces surrounded and attacted the city of Constinople