Byzantine empire
Why was Constantinople important?
In the fall of Rome emperor Constantine moved his emperor east which eventually became capital of the Byzantine emperor. By the 500's Constantinople was thriving. Mostly because of its location next to the Black sea and the Aegean sea which opened itself for lots of trade. It sat in the middle of a trade route between Asia and Europe which made the city extremely wealthy. Lying on a penninsula it was extremely defended, the sea protected it on 3 sides and on the 4th side a huge wall guarded it.
How did Greek culture influence the Byzantine empire?
At first Byzantine followed roman ways and was called "New Rome" and it's public buildings were built in a Roman style. The city even had a oval arena called the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held. Even the social life's were based on Rome's. Emperors spoke latin and enforced roman laws. The poor recieved free bread and shows. Time passed and Byzantine became less Roman and more Greek. Most byzantine's spoke greek and honored greek past. The egyptians, slavs, and all these cultures blended to form the Byzantine empire and would remain rich from 500-1200.
What did Justinian & Theodora do?
Justinian became emperor in 527 and ruled into 565. He was a strong leader and controlled military and made laws. His order could not be questioned. His wife theodora would help him run the empire and would save his life one time. She also convinced him to give Women more rights. For the first time a Byzantine wife could own land. Angry taxpayers threatened to storm the palace at the Nika rebellion. He was urged to leave but Theodora convinced him to stay and he crushed the rebellion.
Why was trade important to the Byzantine Empire?
From the year 500-1100 the Byzantine Empire was the center of trade between Europe and Asia. Trade came from present day Russia in the north, Mediterranean lands in the south, Latin Europe in the west, and persia and China in the East passed through the empire. From asia ships brought- Spices, Gems, metals, and cloth to Constantinople. This enormous trade made Byzantine very wealthy. One of the major was weaving , they smuggled silk worms out of China and provided silk for Byzantine.
What was unique about Byzantine art & Architecture?
Justinian and other emperors supported artists and architects. They ordered the building of churches, forts, and public buildings throughout the empire. Constantinople was known for its thousands of churches and palaces. One of Justinians biggest acomplishements was a huge church called the Hagia sophia. It was the religious center of the Byzantine empire and it still stands in Istanbul, Turkey. Inside the church were beautiful mosaics depicting saints.
What role did Women play?
The center of social life for most Byzantines were family life. Religion and Government stressed the importance of Marriage and family life. Divorces were rare and difficult to get. Women were not encouraged to lead independent lifes and were expected to stay at home and take care of families. However some did have the right to become well educated and involved in politics. Several women served as regents which is a person that stands in for a government officials when sick.
Why was education important?
Learning was highly expected by the Byzantine culture. The government supported the training of scholars and government officials. In Byzantine schools. boys studied religion, medicine, law, arithmetic, grammar, and other subjects. Wealthy Byzantine's hired tutors to teach their children. Girls usually did not attend school and were taught at home. Most byzantine authors wrote about religion and stressed the right to obey god and save one's soul. To strengthen faith they wrote about saints. They copied the writings of ancient Romans and greeks. Without Byzantine copies, many important works from the ancient world would have disappeared forever.
In the fall of Rome emperor Constantine moved his emperor east which eventually became capital of the Byzantine emperor. By the 500's Constantinople was thriving. Mostly because of its location next to the Black sea and the Aegean sea which opened itself for lots of trade. It sat in the middle of a trade route between Asia and Europe which made the city extremely wealthy. Lying on a penninsula it was extremely defended, the sea protected it on 3 sides and on the 4th side a huge wall guarded it.
How did Greek culture influence the Byzantine empire?
At first Byzantine followed roman ways and was called "New Rome" and it's public buildings were built in a Roman style. The city even had a oval arena called the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held. Even the social life's were based on Rome's. Emperors spoke latin and enforced roman laws. The poor recieved free bread and shows. Time passed and Byzantine became less Roman and more Greek. Most byzantine's spoke greek and honored greek past. The egyptians, slavs, and all these cultures blended to form the Byzantine empire and would remain rich from 500-1200.
What did Justinian & Theodora do?
Justinian became emperor in 527 and ruled into 565. He was a strong leader and controlled military and made laws. His order could not be questioned. His wife theodora would help him run the empire and would save his life one time. She also convinced him to give Women more rights. For the first time a Byzantine wife could own land. Angry taxpayers threatened to storm the palace at the Nika rebellion. He was urged to leave but Theodora convinced him to stay and he crushed the rebellion.
Why was trade important to the Byzantine Empire?
From the year 500-1100 the Byzantine Empire was the center of trade between Europe and Asia. Trade came from present day Russia in the north, Mediterranean lands in the south, Latin Europe in the west, and persia and China in the East passed through the empire. From asia ships brought- Spices, Gems, metals, and cloth to Constantinople. This enormous trade made Byzantine very wealthy. One of the major was weaving , they smuggled silk worms out of China and provided silk for Byzantine.
What was unique about Byzantine art & Architecture?
Justinian and other emperors supported artists and architects. They ordered the building of churches, forts, and public buildings throughout the empire. Constantinople was known for its thousands of churches and palaces. One of Justinians biggest acomplishements was a huge church called the Hagia sophia. It was the religious center of the Byzantine empire and it still stands in Istanbul, Turkey. Inside the church were beautiful mosaics depicting saints.
What role did Women play?
The center of social life for most Byzantines were family life. Religion and Government stressed the importance of Marriage and family life. Divorces were rare and difficult to get. Women were not encouraged to lead independent lifes and were expected to stay at home and take care of families. However some did have the right to become well educated and involved in politics. Several women served as regents which is a person that stands in for a government officials when sick.
Why was education important?
Learning was highly expected by the Byzantine culture. The government supported the training of scholars and government officials. In Byzantine schools. boys studied religion, medicine, law, arithmetic, grammar, and other subjects. Wealthy Byzantine's hired tutors to teach their children. Girls usually did not attend school and were taught at home. Most byzantine authors wrote about religion and stressed the right to obey god and save one's soul. To strengthen faith they wrote about saints. They copied the writings of ancient Romans and greeks. Without Byzantine copies, many important works from the ancient world would have disappeared forever.