Byzantine Empire

The Byzantines Constantine Justinian Schism Fall of Constantinople Christianity Justinian Empress Theodora Justinian’s Code Schism Fall of Constantinople

Constantinople Geography often plays an important role in history— especially when it comes to government and society. Constantinople was the fortress capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, which later became the Byzantine Empire. For hundreds of years, many enemies tried to capture the city, but all of them found this to be very difficult. Ottoman Turks finally captured it in 1453 CE and renamed it Istanbul. All map images in this presentation are from NASA. Constantinople became a crossroads for religion, trade, and government.

Where was Constantinople? (Istanbul today) This is a broad view of Afroeurasia. Where was Constantinople in this picture?

Why might this location have been important? Here is the answer. Have students make some observations about location.

It also lies between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, which were major highways of trade and travel.

The narrow Bosporus strait is the only path that connects the Black Sea with the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Constantinople’s location at the southern end of the strait gave it command of trade between these seas.

Why would this city be difficult to conquer? Have students speculate about why this location would be easy to defend. Notice that the city was located on a peninsula, and was thus surrounded on three sides by a sort of natural moat. The forth side was defended by a formidable series of immense fortifications.

A Highway Bridge across the Bosporus Photo by R. Dunn

(aka “The Batman and Robin Method”) Making Connections (aka “The Batman and Robin Method”) A writing strategy starring your very own Fact and Fact Commentary

“Batman” Fact Directly related to the topic of the body paragraph Bridges from the topic sentence and/or previous commentary For Example: Constantinople was built at a major crossroads of land and sea trade routes, called the Bosporus Strait.

“Robin” Fact Commentary Provides detail about the fact by making a connection to something else we studied this year For Example: Constantine established Constantinople as the new capital of Rome after Diocletian divided the Roman Empire in half about 100 years earlier (Source: Ancient Rome Notes, Unit 6). Trade Routes…(Source: Muslim Merchants PowerPoint, Unit 8). Christianity…(Source: Christianity Prezi, Unit 7). Silk Road…(Source: India and China Prezi, Unit 3).

Batman and Robin Constantinople was built at a major crossroads of land and sea trade routes, called the Bosporus Strait. Constantine established Constantinople as the new capital of Rome after Diocletian divided the Roman Empire in half about 100 years earlier (Source: Ancient Rome Notes, Unit 6).