Byzantine Empire

        About 430 AD, the ancient Roman empire was divided into tw ljlo parts, the eastern and western halves.  The Eastern half succeeded and became the Byzantine Empire.  The capital was moved from Rome to Byzantium because of its many advantages.  The capital was renamed Constantinople.  The capital was moved to Constantinople because of the city's location and prosperous trade.  The harbor was a good place for every ship in the armada.  The city was at the crossroads of the big east-west trade route in between Europe and Asia.  The location of the city gave them control of the sea and some of the most important trade routes went through the city.

   Constantinople had many defensive fortifications as well.  The city was already protected on the three sides that were along the water.  There was a huge wall on the fourth side of the city.  A huge chain, that was about a third of a mile long, was eventually put across the north side of the harbor.  After over 4 years of work, Constantinople was made to model Rome.

    Not only was the architecture styled after Rome, but the political and social life was too. Poor people got free bread and went to circuses and chariot races that were put on by the government.  The richer citizens lived in the city or on large farm estates.  The government brought wealthy people into their city by offering to build them palaces.  Farming, herding, or working as a laborer were how they made a living.  A job in the church was a very high goal for a young man.

The Church

    Constantinople was Christian.  It had many churches that were the best buildings in the entire city.  Relics (holy or sacred objects) were gathered by government and church leaders.  They were placed everywhere in the city.  Many people came to see these and to pray to God to cure their illnesses.  The biggest and best church in the city was the Hagia Sophia.

Justinian & Theodora

    Justinian started his rule of the empire in 527.  Under his rule, his servants were chosen by skill and not by wealth or popularity.  Being the emperor, Justinian had control over the entire empire.  He even had one of his own code of laws.  With help from some of his scholars, Justinian had created a code of laws that helped lighten his work load.  He was not questioned by anyone because it was believed that his actions were inspired by God. 

    Justinian's wife, Theodora, acted as a great help to him.  In 532, Theodora made her most important contribution.  A group of senators started a revolt because of high taxes.  Advisors of Justinian told him that he should leave the city.  But, Theodora told him to stay and fight.  The emperor and his advisors took his advice.  Because of this, 300,000 of them were trapped and killed.  This made Justinian an even stronger ruler.

End of the Empire

    The Byzantine Empire lasted about 1,100 years.  Trading became a problem.  In 1080, the Vikings took control of some Byzantine land and threatened to attack Constantinople.  They Byzantine army was no longer large enough to fight.  Because of this, they turned to Venice for help.  The Vikings were defeated.  For their efforts, the Venetians were given tax-free businesses.  Venice now controlled most of the empire's trade.  A great loss of income resulted from this.  Asia Minor was attacked and lost to Christians and Muslims from the west.  This was a great loss to the empire because it supplied food, soldiers, and materials.  One after the other, the empire was defeated.  All that was left was a tiny area around Constantinople.  In 1453, the empire was finally defeated by the Ottoman Turks.

http://newadvent.org/cathen/03096a.htm

http://search.eb.com/search?query=byzantine+empire

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/socialstudies/worldhistory/hh2004/

http://crusades.boisestate.edu/Byzantium/

http://www.crystalinks.com/byzantine.html

By Corey & Jordan, Mr. Sams Bell 1, Harrison Junior School, 5/04