The Survival of the Eastern Empire

Power Shifts to the East The shift of Roman power to the East began long before the collapse of the Westen Empire. Diocletion restored order in the late 200s. He ruled from Asia Minor, in the eastern part of the empire. After his death the power struggles resumed.

The Rise of Constantine Constantine was a Roman leader who fought for several rivals for control of the empire. Constantine began life as a pagan. Christians believe in only one God. After victory in 324 Constantine became sole ruler of the empire. Constantine had abandoned his pagan beliefs and become a Christian He supported the growth of the Church. He moved the capital of his government eastward to the site of an old Greek city called Byzantium.

The Rise of Constantine (continued) Constantine named the new capitol Constantinople. The people of Constantinople called themselves Romans living in the Roman Empire. The term Byzantine was created much later by historians to describe the later Eastern Roman Empire.

The New Capitol Constantine chose an excellent location for his capitol. Waterways, caravan tracks, and paved Roman roads made Constantinople a crossroads for trade. The trade was between Asia and Europe. Thick walls and a moat protected the city from attacks by land. From Constantinople, Roman armies could quickly travel to the empire’s eastern frontiers.

The New Capitol (continued) Constantinople had good harbors, and a good location making it an ideal trading center. The trade made Constantinople rich. Constantine used the money to build palaces, government buildings, marketplaces, and a stadium for chariot races. After his death the Roman Empire was divided into an Eastern and a Western empire. Western Empire fell in 476. The Eastern, or Byzantine, Empire survived.

Justinian & Theodora The first great Byzantine emperor was Justinian. He ruled for 40 years, from 527 to 565. Justinian and his wife Theodora, were a colorful and unusual royal couple. Justinian was born to a family of peasants. Theodora’s father was a bear trainer in the circus. They both were talented, intelligent, and self confident.

Justinian’s Conquest Justinian dreamed of restoring Rome’s lost empire. He tried for more than thirty years. During his reign the empire reached its greatest size. The many wars left the empire with severe money problems. Attackers from outside would gradually chip away most of the territory.

Justinian’s Legacy Justinian did no succeed in restoring the Roman Empire. He had many other accomplishments. His greatest was Justinian’s Code. A urban revolt challenged Justinian’s power. Ruthlessly crushing this revolt helping him gain absolute power. The revolt destroyed much of the city. The greatest of the new buildings was a church named the Hagia Sophia, or Holy Wisdom. Which still stands today.