1. AIM: What factors played into the fall of the Byzantine Empire?
DO NOW: Define these words with the people around you
Crusades
Territories
Stability
Missionaries

2. Content Vocabulary
Crusades: Holy wars instigated by the Church for religious reasons.
Territories: An area or land under the control of a ruler or state.
Stability: The state of being steady and established, unlikely to change.
Missionaries: a person sent on a religious mission, especially to promote their faith in foreign nations

3. BYZANTINE EMPIRE Background
The term “Byzantine” derives from Byzantium, an ancient Greek colony founded by a man named Byzas. Located on the European side of the Bosporus (the strait linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean).
In 330 A.D., Roman Emperor Constantine I chose Byzantium as the site of a new Roman capital, Constantinople. Five years earlier, at the Council of Nicaea, Constantine had established Christianity (once an obscure Jewish sect) as Rome’s official religion.
The eastern half of the Roman Empire proved less vulnerable to external attack, thanks in part to its geographic location. With Constantinople located on a strait, it was extremely difficult to breach the capital’s defenses; in addition, the eastern empire had a much shorter common frontier with Europe. It also benefited greatly from a stronger administrative center and internal political stability, as well as great wealth compared with other states of the early medieval period.

5. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FALL
The Death of Justinian The First
Justinian I was the ruler of the Byzantine Empire from 527 AD to AD.
Under his reign, the Byzantine Empire flourished. After his death, the empire began to decline and grew vulnerable as time progressed.
Following his death, the empire experienced large war debts and economical problems. Citizens were forced to pay high taxes as a result of these debts and began to revolt.
Invaders Attack The Empire
With resources running low, the Byzantine army began to lose territories and the empire was subjected to attacks from Slavs, Persians and Islamic armies.

6. FALL OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
Fall of Constantinople and Invasion by Ottoman Turks
The sturdy walls that once protected the Byzantine Empire were destroyed by a cannon, creating an opening for Ottoman forces.
1453, Ottoman Empire invade Constantinople and Emperor Constantine XI dies in battle. Byzantine Empire is ruled by a new emperor named Mehmed II.
This was the end of European dominance.

7. CONTRIBUTIONS TO WESTERN CIVILIZATIONS
Justinian's Code
A set of laws written by the emperor. Today, they are the foundation of international laws and the Bill of Rights.
Cyrillic Alphabet
It was brought to Russia by two missionaries, and it’s still used there today.
Orthodox Christianity
Byzantine missionaries also carried this religion to several European nations.
Conserved Greco-Roman achievements
Preserved classical learning of Greek and Latin grammar and philosophy

8. CONTRIBUTIONS CONTINUED
Military maps
They crafted intricate maps that became a model for other empires because they allowed for strategic plans for conquest
Art/Architecture
Mosaics are a popular form to create illustrations
Domes and minarets are incorporated in several buildings all over the world
Hagia Sophia is a tourist attraction and representation of cultural diffusion throughout Byzantine history
Icons
They introduced the idea of using a painting or object to represent or symbolize Jesus Christ or another holy figure.

10. CHRONOLOGY OF BYZANTINE EMPIRE
526: Justinian's reign begins. He reconquers parts of the fallen Western Empire (Africa and Italy, Spain). He codifies the Previous Roman Laws into one document. Constantinople is the most glorious city in Europe, with 500,000 inhabitants. The Hagia Sofia is constructed. Justinian is the last emperor to use the title "Caesar" : Lombards invade Italy, eventually taking Northern Italy from the Byzantines.
693: Muslims attack Constantinople.
690: Loss of North Africa to Muslims.
: A large Muslim force besiege Constantinople by land and sea. The attack is held off.
721: Regains control of Asia Minor from the Muslims.
1055: Loss of southern Italy to the Normans : Defeat at Manzikert to the Seljuk Turks. Permanent loss of most of Asia Minor : Loss of Syria to Muslims.

11. CHRONOLOGY CONTINUED
1087: Byzantines defeated in Thrace : Crusaders arrive at Constantinople. The Crusaders are successful, but eventually withdraw from cooperation with the Byzantines : Reconquest of southwestern Asia Minor.
1179: Byzantine Army defeated by the Sultanate of Rum at Myriokephalon. Hopes of regaining Asia Minor are lost : Fourth Crusade is assembled at Venice.
1204: Fourth Crusade captures Constantinople. The Latin Empire of Constantinople is formed as well as many Byzantine successor states. The capture of Constantinople in 1204 was a blow from which the Byzantines never fully recovered.
1261: The successor state of Nicaea recaptures Constantinople and restores the Byzantine Empire : Fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans. End of the Byzantine Empire.

12. GUIDED PRACTICE Twister
Rules: 8 random people will be chosen to play, and the rest of the class will have a worksheet to fill with the problems that lead or caused the fall of the Byzantine Empire.(Like the one we had for Jenga)
On the some of the circles there will be a problem written on it, if your hand or foot falls on it, say the problem out loud, and the students with the worksheet will decide in which category it belongs in.
The game ends when someone falls on either mat.

13. GUIDED PRACTICE ANSWERS
Justinian’s authoritarian approach in ruling caused tensions within the Byzantine empire.
Seljuk Turks cut off trading lines between the Constantinople and Asian provinces.
Lost tax revenue, food supply, and trading opportunities
Revolts by citizens due to high taxes that they were forced to pay
The Great Schism causing a split, leaving the respective sides to fend for themselves against powerful Muslim empires.
Sense of unity is lost between citizens
Constantinople in between two areas, making it vulnerable.
Paying others/dependence on other people to protect Byzantine Empire.
Territories acquired from conquest were being lost.
Attacks from various groups such as the Persians, Slavs and Muslims.
1071, Battle of Manzikert causes a large portion of the Byzantine Empire’s army to be killed, former strength couldn’t be regained.
1453, Ottomans take over Constantinople.
Losses in war/war debt

14. EXIT TICKET
What is the most significant contribution of Emperor Justinian to the world today? Use the article and explain your answer in 3-4 sentences.