In the East . . .In the East . . .

The Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire

Early historyEarly history Before the Western Roman Empire “fell,” Before the Western Roman Empire “fell,”

Constantine had moved the most Constantine had moved the most important functions of the government important functions of the government east, to Constantinople (formerly known east, to Constantinople (formerly known as Byzantium)as Byzantium)

This would be a Christian capital This would be a Christian capital (because there were so many pagans in (because there were so many pagans in Rome)Rome)

The Eastern Empire avoided many The Eastern Empire avoided many problems due to Constantinople’s problems due to Constantinople’s location as a trading crossroadslocation as a trading crossroads

The East therefore prospered and, after The East therefore prospered and, after the Western Empire “fell,” became the Western Empire “fell,” became known as the Byzantine Empireknown as the Byzantine Empire

Early historyEarly history

A Tale of Two EmpiresA Tale of Two Empires

Roman culture did not Roman culture did not die out in western die out in western Europe because the Europe because the Germanic tribes that Germanic tribes that took over were took over were influenced by:influenced by:

1. the Latin language1. the Latin language 2. Roman culture 2. Roman culture 3. the Roman Catholic3. the Roman Catholic ChurchChurch

A Tale of Two EmpiresA Tale of Two Empires

Roman culture did not Roman culture did not die out in western die out in western Europe because the Europe because the Germanic tribes that Germanic tribes that took over were took over were influenced by:influenced by:

1. the Latin language1. the Latin language 2. Roman culture 2. Roman culture 3. the Roman Catholic3. the Roman Catholic ChurchChurch

In the Byzantine In the Byzantine Empire, the following Empire, the following became dominant:became dominant:

1. the Greek language1. the Greek language 2. Hellenistic culture2. Hellenistic culture 3. the Greek (Eastern)3. the Greek (Eastern) Orthodox ChurchOrthodox Church

(the first split - or schism - in Christianity

– A.D. 1054)

Decline and FallDecline and Fall

The Byzantine Empire grew (see map on page The Byzantine Empire grew (see map on page 286) but then started experiencing attacks on 286) but then started experiencing attacks on all sidesall sides

In 1453, the Ottoman Turks finally took In 1453, the Ottoman Turks finally took ConstantinopleConstantinople

Byzantine civilization lives on in the Byzantine civilization lives on in the civilizations of the Slavic peoples of Eastern civilizations of the Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe (in today’s Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Europe (in today’s Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia, etc.)Serbia, etc.)