The Byzantine Empire Overview

The Byzantine Empire

• The Byzantine Empire emerged from the Eastern Roman Empire.
• Emperor Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople, a strategic location.
• Constantine's reforms strengthened the Empire's economy and military.
• The Empire split into two halves: East (Byzantine) and West.
• The Migration Period (300-570 CE) caused large-scale movement of Germanic, Gothic, and Slavic peoples into the Roman Empire.
• The Western Roman Empire fell in 485 CE due to invasions and pressure from migrating peoples.
• The Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, continued for centuries.
• Historians refer to the Eastern Roman Empire as the Byzantines after 485 CE.
• The Byzantine Empire's economy thrived by connecting East and West through trade, including the Silk Road.
• The Plague of Justinian (6th century) and the Black Death (14th century) significantly decreased populations in the region.
• The Byzantine-Sassanid War (602-628 CE) weakened both empires, leading to Arab conquests of parts of the Byzantine Empire later in the 7th century.
• The Byzantine Empire experienced a resurgence during the Macedonian Renaissance (11th-12th century).
• The Byzantine Empire fell after Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1453.
• Justinian's Code established legal precedents for modern legal systems.
• The Byzantines spread Christianity through missionaries like Cyril and Methodius.
• The Eastern Orthodox Church gained dominance in Eastern Europe due to Byzantine influence.

Invasions of the Roman Empire

• The Roman Empire experienced numerous invasions from various peoples.
• The invasions contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 485 CE.
• The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) endured these pressures while maintaining a strong presence in the Mediterranean.

Decline and Fall of the Byzantines

• The Byzantine Empire was initially a powerful economic force connecting the East and West through trade, particularly the Silk Road.
• Plagues like the Plague of Justinian and the Black Death had significant repercussions on its population and infrastructure.
• Conflicts with the Sassanid Empire in the 7th Century severely impacted the Byzantines.
• Conquests by Arab invaders further weakened the empire.
• Although there was a period of renaissance the empire was ultimately falling.
• The Ottoman Empire's conquest of Constantinople in 1453 marked a significant turning point.

Byzantine Empire - 1050

• The Byzantine Empire, centered around Constantinople, held significant territory in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
• Areas shown on map included Italy, parts of Greece, and the Balkans.

Ancient Silk Road

• The Silk Road connected the East and West facilitating trade between regions.
• The routes stretched across continents encompassing various cultures and empires.

Byzantine and Sassanid Empires - 7th Century CE

• Shows the geographical extent of both empires during this time.
• Highlights the interaction and geographic relationship of the two empires and surrounding regions.