1. Regional Civilizations

3. Location Located on Asia Minor
Empire extended to Southwest Asia, Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula, North Africa
Capital at Constantinople renamed Istanbul
Islam is a unifying force
Accepted other religions
Trade in coffee and ceramics

4. Fall of Constantinople
City was Center of Byzantine Empire – edge of the Christian World
Controlled entry into Black Sea
Easy to defend
Attacked in April 1453
Muslims now had cannons
Attacked from 2 sides

5. City holds out for 5 weeks
Hagia Sophia – most important church in Eastern Christian world becomes a mosque.
City now called Istanbul (Part of the modern day country of Turkey)