1. The Byzantine Empire

2. The Roman empire was weakened by internal and external forces and became divided into Eastern Rome and Western Rome. Power shifted to the east, as Germanic invaders weakened the western half of the once great Roman Empire.

3. The emperor Constantine built a new capital city in Constantinople on the site of the Greek city Byzantium (the Greek name for Constantinople). The Byzantine empire arose from this site. Constantinople is known today as Istanbul.

4. At its height, the Byzantine empire covered an area from Rome through southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, down to Egypt and across North Africa.

5. What is the name that Constantinople is known as today?
Think, Turn and Talk, and Share
What is the name that Constantinople is known as today?

6. The city of Constantinople, was on a peninsula overlooking the Bosphorus, a strait connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. From its central location, the city controlled key trade routes that linked Europe and Asia.

7. Think, Turn and Talk, and Share
What is the name of the Strait on which the Byzantine Empire sits?
What was the significance of this strait to the Byzantine Empire during that time?

8. The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian
The Byzantine empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian. Justinian was an autocratic ruler, or single ruler with complete authority.

9. Emperor Justinian became known for his collection of ancient laws known as Justinian’s Code. This written set of laws became the basis for today’s international laws.

10. Think, Turn and Talk, and Share
Who was the Justinian?
What did he accomplish with his role in the Byzantine Empire?

11. In the area of architecture, Justinian blended Greek, Roman, Persian and Middle Eastern styles. The best known structure is the Church of Hagia Sophia whose name means “Holy Wisdom.”

12. Church of Hagia Sophia

13. Church of Hagia Sophia

14. Church of Hagia Sophia

15. In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great contributions
In the area of art, the Byzantine empire made great contributions. Icons were images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and others. These icons were supposed to create the sense that the holy person was actually present.

16. Byzantine artists also developed Mosaics, pictures or designs with brightly colored glass formed by inlaid pieces of stone/marble. Mosaics often displayed religious themes.

17. Examples of mosaics

18. Think, Turn and Talk, and Share
What contributions of art did Justinian contribute to the modern world?

19. The decline of the Byzantine empire came with the onset of invading armies. The final blow came at the hands of the Ottoman empire.

20. The Byzantine empire hoped to preserve Greek and Roman culture and also strongly influenced the first Russian state. As Russia traded with the Byzantine empire, the Byzantines influenced both Russian and eastern European development.

21. The Byzantines gave Russia a written language
The Byzantines gave Russia a written language. Two Byzantine missionaries adapted the Greek alphabet This new system, called the Cyrillic alphabet is still used in Russia today.

22. Byzantine missionaries carried Orthodox Christianity to Russia and other Eastern European nations.

23. Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler
Another Byzantine influence on Russia was that of an autocratic ruler. Autocratic rulers in Russia were known as czars. Czar is the Russian word for Caesar.

24. The Byzantine empire had its influence in the development of history
The Byzantine empire had its influence in the development of history. Emerging out of the once strong Roman empire, the Byzantines develop a written set of law and strongly influence art and architecture of the time.
The Byzantine empire preserved the Greek, Roman and Persian achievements as well as influencing the development of Russia and Eastern Europe.