The Byzantine Empire Project

Constantine Creates a "New Rome" Germanic invaders pounded the Roman Empire in the west so the Roman emperor Constantine and his successors shifted their base to the eastern Mediterranean. Constantine rebuilt the Greek city of Byzantium and then renamed it after himself- Constantinople. In 330, Constantinople became the new capital of the empire. In time, roads began to fan out to the Balkans, to the Middle East, and to North America. The eastern Roman Empire became the Byzantine Empire. Constantinople was located on the shores of the Bosporus, a strait that links the Mediterranean and Black Sea. It had an excellent harbor and was guarded by water on 3 sides. Constantinople created key trade routes linking Europe and Asia. It was in existence nearly 1,000 years after the fall of the western Roman Empire and promoted a brilliant civilization that blended ancient Greek, Roman, and Christian influences with other traditions of the mediterranean world.

Photos Cited https://www.google.com/#q=justinianwww.roman-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/www.teslasociety.com

JUSTINIAN

Theodora

The Byzantine Empire

Hagia Sophia

Byzantium Flourishes under JustinianThe Byzantine Empire reached its peak under the emperor Justinian. He was determined to revive ancient Rome by recovering lands that had been overrun by invaders. Led by the brilliant General Belisarius, Byzantine armies reconquered North Africa, Italy, and the Southern Iberian Peninsula. Justinian left a lasting monument in the structures of his capital. His great triumph was rebuilding the Church of Hagia Sophia. Tad Jones that improves upon earlier Roman buildings. Even more important than expanding the Empire and rebuilding its capital, was Justinian's reform of the law. He set up a commission to collect, revise, and organize all the laws of ancient Rome.

Byzantine ChristianityDifferences in the way Christianity was practiced in the Byzantine Empire and Western Europe became more distinct over time and caused increasing friction. Since early Christian times, differences emerged over church leadership. The Byzantine Emperor was not a priest, he controlled church affairs and appointed the patriarch in Constantinople. Byzantine Christians rejected the pope's claim to authority over all Christians. Unlike priests in Western Europe, the Byzantine clergy had the right to marry. Greek, not Latin, was the language of the Byzantine. As in the Roman Church, the chief Byzantine holy day was Easter. However, Byzantine Christians placed somewhat less emphasis on Christmas.

Byzantine HeritageThroughout the Middle Ages, Byzantine influence radiated across Europe. For 1,000 years, the built on the culture of the Hellenistic world. Byzantine civilization blended Christian religious beliefs with Greek science, philosophy, art, and literature. The Byzantines also extended achievements in engineering and law. Byzantine artists made unique contributions, especially in religious arts architecture. These influenced Western styles from the middle ages to the present. Icons gave viewers a sense of personal contact with the sacred and mosaics brought seen from the Bible to life. Byzantine scholars preserved the classic works of ancient Greece and Rome. In addition, they produced their own great books, especially in the field of history.