The Byzantine Empire Coach Parrish OMS Chapter 10, Section 1

Attempt at Conquest Prince Igor of Kiev (city in Russia), watched as his ships sailed across the Black Sea in 941 AD. Prince Igor of Kiev (city in Russia), watched as his ships sailed across the Black Sea in 941 AD. Prince Igor was sure that his fleet would capture Constantinople – capital of the Byzantine Empire. Prince Igor was sure that his fleet would capture Constantinople – capital of the Byzantine Empire. Instead of winning, he watched as his ships were destroyed by “Greek Fire.” This weapon gave the Byzantines power in the Mediterranean Sea. Instead of winning, he watched as his ships were destroyed by “Greek Fire.” This weapon gave the Byzantines power in the Mediterranean Sea.

Greek Fire

Constantinople at a Crossroads Following the Roman Empire, two groups controlled what we now call the Middle East. Following the Roman Empire, two groups controlled what we now call the Middle East. 1. Christian Byzantines 2. Muslim Arabs and Turks Sometimes the two groups shared power and sometimes they fought over the region. Sometimes the two groups shared power and sometimes they fought over the region.

Constantine and His Capital Constantine began his rule of the enormous Roman Empire in 306 AD. Constantine began his rule of the enormous Roman Empire in 306 AD. Two important things that Constantine did: 1)Became a Christian and stopped Christian persecution. 2) After 20 years of ruling in Rome, he built a new imperial capital. Two important things that Constantine did: 1)Became a Christian and stopped Christian persecution. 2) After 20 years of ruling in Rome, he built a new imperial capital. His capital was called Constantinople, and by 500 AD, contained large markets, paved roads, a palace, public baths, and a circus. His capital was called Constantinople, and by 500 AD, contained large markets, paved roads, a palace, public baths, and a circus.

Constantine

Constantine and His Capital The emperors that followed Constantine continued to rule from Constantinople. The emperors that followed Constantine continued to rule from Constantinople. Over time, the Roman Empire split in two halves. The eastern half, where Constantinople was located, was the strongest. Over time, the Roman Empire split in two halves. The eastern half, where Constantinople was located, was the strongest. The eastern half was the strongest because of its military and wealth through trading. The eastern half was the strongest because of its military and wealth through trading.

Trade Constantinople was built at a major crossroads of land and sea trade routes. Constantinople was built at a major crossroads of land and sea trade routes. Goods came from Kiev in the north, from Egypt in the south, and across Central Asia. The Byzantines charged taxes on all goods that went through the city. Goods came from Kiev in the north, from Egypt in the south, and across Central Asia. The Byzantines charged taxes on all goods that went through the city. Over time, the Byzantine Empire grew rich. Over time, the Byzantine Empire grew rich.

Currency (Money)

Fall of the Western Empire By 350 AD, the western Roman Empire was already in decline. Roman armies were having difficulty holding back invaders from Europe. By 350 AD, the western Roman Empire was already in decline. Roman armies were having difficulty holding back invaders from Europe. Germanic groups were coming closer and closer to Rome itself. In 476, a Germanic leader overthrew the emperor of Rome. (We will discuss this later when we talk about the Roman Empire itself.) Germanic groups were coming closer and closer to Rome itself. In 476, a Germanic leader overthrew the emperor of Rome. (We will discuss this later when we talk about the Roman Empire itself.)