The Byzantine Empire and Justinian Timeline of the
The Byzantine Empire and Justinian
Timeline of the Fall of Rome • • 324 - Constantine reunites Roman Empire 330 - Moves the capital to Constantinople 410 - Rome is attacked by the Vandals 413 - Constantinople begins building its protective walls to keep Germanics out • 420 - Rome attacked again • 476 - Rome falls, along with the Empire
The New Roman Empire 565 AD Byzantine Empire 668 AD
The New Capital: Constantinople • Location picked for many reasons – Far away from Germanic invaders (barbarians) – Close to connections with the East for trade – Protected by the Black Sea and other water – Easily able to defend it; could only attack 1 way • Had an interesting set up for the city • Large walls and moats protected it • Many famous buildings still there today
Layout of Constantinople
Protective Walls of Constantinople • Walls were used to keep invaders out or at least stall them • Had three levels, and moats • Archers could rain down arrows
New Leader Following Rome’s Fall • Justinian becomes the new emperor in 527 – Reunifies the empire as his first duty – Attacks Germanic tribes to regain lands (Rome) • Creates a new empire due to lack of communication w/ Rome • Changes many things about the Roman Empire, including language and church
Changes in the Byzantine Empire • Justinian’s Code- new legal code – Based off Roman law- took the best laws – Lasted for over 900 years after his death • Language changes – Used to be Latin, now native language is Greek • Changes in the Church – Church branches into Western and Eastern – Have different beliefs, becomes Eastern Orthodox
Justinian’s Other Improvements • Rebuilt the major protective walls • Rebuilds the Hagia Sophia – Was a major religious building; was destroyed – Rebuilt due to love for religious buildings • Beautified Constantinople w/ different things – Used mosaics all over the city – Used lights and candles to light up mosaics • Also built baths, aqueducts, laws, schools and hospitals
Hagia Sophia
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