Byzantine Empire Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Identify three continents on which the Byzantine Empire controlled land.

Europe, Asia, and Africa

Describe the location of the Byzantine Empire relative to two regions.

The Byzantine Empire is north of North Africa and east of the Middle East.

Describe the location of the Byzantine Empire relative to two bodies of water.

The Byzantine Empire is located south of the Black Sea and north of the Mediterranean Sea.

Describe the location of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, relative to two continents.

Constantinople is north of Africa and south of Europe. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the location of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, relative to two bodies of water.

Constantinople is north of the Mediterranean Sea and south of the Black Sea. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the map above, describe how geography and its location affected the development of Constantinople.

Constantinople was perfectly located because it was surrounded by water, which made it easier for trading and fishing with the Roman Empire. Signup and view all the answers

How was Justinian and Theodora's Byzantine Empire different from Western Europe during the same time period?

The Byzantine Empire was a centralized government whereas Western Europe was decentralized. Signup and view all the answers

What title did Justinian give Theodora when he became the ruler of the Byzantine Empire?

Co-emperors Signup and view all the answers

How did Justinian and Theodora gain, consolidate, and maintain power in the Byzantine Empire?

Gaining power by winning wars, consolidating power by conquering new land and resources, maintaining power through various means including law and order. Signup and view all the answers

How did Justinian and Theodora maintain power during the Nika Riots?

By killing the rioters and their leaders. Signup and view all the answers

How did Justinian and Theodora maintain power through Justinian's Code?

By creating new laws to unify their empire. Signup and view all the answers

How did Justinian and Theodora maintain power through civil law?

By allowing families to create wills under civil law. Signup and view all the answers

How did Justinian maintain power through religious persecution?

By persecuting and oppressing people from many different religious and ethnic groups to convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geographic Control of the Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire spanned three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Located north of North Africa and east of the Middle East.
Positioned south of the Black Sea and north of the Mediterranean Sea.

Location of Constantinople

Constantinople is situated north of Africa and south of Europe.
Located north of the Mediterranean Sea and south of the Black Sea.
Its strategic geography facilitated trade and fishing, enhancing connections with the Roman Empire.

Political Structure and Leadership

The Byzantine Empire operated under a centralized government, contrasting with the decentralized structure of Western Europe.
Justinian and Theodora ruled as co-emperors, sharing power equally, indicating a strong partnership in governance.

Gaining and Maintaining Power

The empire expanded its territory under Justinian and Theodora through military conquests, acquiring land, power, and resources.
To suppress the Nika Riots, Justinian maintained power by ordering the execution of rioters and their leaders.
Justinian's Code played a significant role in consolidating power by establishing new laws that promoted unity across the empire.

Legal and Religious Authority

Justinian's creation of a robust legal framework through his code empowered families and facilitated estate management.
The Justinian Code solidified legal rights, allowing individuals to create wills under civil law, thus reinforcing social order.
Justinian enforced religious conformity by persecuting diverse religious and ethnic groups, aiming to convert them to Eastern Orthodox Christianity and strengthen his rule.

Description

Test your knowledge about the Byzantine Empire with these flashcards. Explore its geographical reach across continents and its relative locations to significant regions and bodies of water. Perfect for history enthusiasts and students!