The Byzantine Empire 9.3

I. The Rise of the Byzantines The Eastern Roman Empire was known as the Byzantine Empire. It included Greeks, Egyptian, Arabs, Armenians, Jews, Persian, Slavs, and Turks. Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Constantinople was located between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea, at the crossroads of trade routes between Europe and Asia. People of early Constantinople initially followed Roman ways. They spoke Latin and went by Roman laws.

Eventually, the Byzantine Empire became more influenced by Greece Eventually, the Byzantine Empire became more influenced by Greece. People spoke Greek and drew upon Greek culture. Some ideas from the Slavs, Egyptians, and Persians also mixed in with the Greek influences. How did Constantinople’s location help protect it from invasion?

II. Emperor Justinian Justinian was the emperor of the Byzantine Empire from A.D. 527 until A.D. 565. Empress Theodora, Justinian’s wife, helped her husband rule Byzantine. Justinian tried to restore the Roman Empire by invading Western Europe and northern Africa. Tribonian – simplified the code of laws

III. Byzantine Civilization Empire lasted for approx. 1,000 yrs. Constantinople was the largest and wealthiest city. Empire depended on trade. Silk weaving was a major industry. Byzantine emperors supported artists and architects.

Hagia Sophia was the religious center and was a great architectural accomplishment

Mosaics depicted many saints.

Marriages and family were important in the Byzantine way of life. Byzantine women obtained rights. They became educated, and some served as regents. The government supported edu. Boys attended schools Girls taught at home Most literature was religious.