In the East... The Byzantine Empire

Early history Before the Western Roman Empire “fell,” Constantine had moved the most important functions of the government east, to Constantinople (formerly known as Byzantium) Before the Western Roman Empire “fell,” Constantine had moved the most important functions of the government east, to Constantinople (formerly known as Byzantium) This would be a Christian capital (because there were so many pagans in Rome) This would be a Christian capital (because there were so many pagans in Rome)

The Eastern Empire avoided many problems due to Constantinople’s location as a trading crossroads The Eastern Empire avoided many problems due to Constantinople’s location as a trading crossroads The East therefore prospered and, after the Western Empire “fell,” became known as the Byzantine Empire The East therefore prospered and, after the Western Empire “fell,” became known as the Byzantine Empire Early history

A Tale of Two Empires Roman culture did not die out in western Europe because the Germanic tribes that took over were influenced by: Roman culture did not die out in western Europe because the Germanic tribes that took over were influenced by: 1. the Latin language 1. the Latin language 2. Roman culture 2. Roman culture 3. the Roman Catholic 3. the Roman Catholic Church Church

A Tale of Two Empires Roman culture did not die out in western Europe because the Germanic tribes that took over were influenced by: Roman culture did not die out in western Europe because the Germanic tribes that took over were influenced by: 1. the Latin language 1. the Latin language 2. Roman culture 2. Roman culture 3. the Roman Catholic 3. the Roman Catholic Church Church In the Byzantine Empire, the following became dominant: In the Byzantine Empire, the following became dominant: 1. the Greek language 1. the Greek language 2. Hellenistic culture 2. Hellenistic culture 3. the Greek (Eastern) 3. the Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Church Orthodox Church (the first split - or schism - in Christianity – A.D. 1054)

Decline and Fall The Byzantine Empire grew (see map on page 286) but then started experiencing attacks on all sides The Byzantine Empire grew (see map on page 286) but then started experiencing attacks on all sides In 1453, the Ottoman Turks finally took Constantinople In 1453, the Ottoman Turks finally took Constantinople Byzantine civilization lives on in the civilizations of the Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe (in today’s Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia, etc.) Byzantine civilization lives on in the civilizations of the Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe (in today’s Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia, etc.)