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The Byzantine Empire
Geography, Trading, and Significance
How does it come to be?
As the Roman Empire is declining, the emperor divides the empire in half thinking that it will help them govern. (Western and Eastern Roman Empires)
The Western Roman Empire falls to barbarians but the Eastern Roman Empire flourishes and is renamed the Byzantine Empire.
Emperor Constantine creates a new capital at the former Greek city of Byzantium, which he renames Constantinople.
Basic Geography
Located at the bridge between Eastern Europe and the Middle East
Surrounded by the Aegean Sea, the Black Sea, the Gulf of Cyprus, and the Caspian Sea
Capital: Constantinople
Located right between the Black Sea and the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.
Trading
Most trade between Asia, Europe, and North Africa had to pass through the Byzantine Empire.
Due to the location, the Byzantine Empire became a very wealthy empire for a time.
Pottery
MarbleUsed for statues, monuments, buildings, columns, pavement,
furniture, or even for alters in churches
Metalworking
Household objects such as basins, washing sets, and brass buckets.
The Silk Road
Network of interlinking trade routes
Used camels or boats as transportation
Caravans formed for protection against bandits along the route
Natural dangers such as heat from the desert as well as sandstorms
Expensive to trade on the Silk Road
Significance
The Byzantine Empire served two very important historical functions…
Preservation of Roman and Greek Culture
When the Western Roman Empire collapsed many libraries and places of learning were destroyed among the chaos.
Because the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) survived, they preserved much of the Greek and Roman knowledge.
Most significant was the preservation of Roman law by Emperor Justinian .
Justinian deciphered the Roman law codes and it is these law codes that have become the basis for the legal systems of many Western countries like the United States.
Cultural Diffusion
The Byzantine Empire helped preserve Roman and Greek culture and Christianity but it also spread these ideas to other parts of the world.
During the Crusades, Western Europeans who were making their way to the Holy Land had to pass through the Byzantine Empire.
As a result they brought many of those ancient Greek and Roman accomplishments back to Western Europe.
Fall of the Byzantine Empire
Collapses in 1452 due to invasions by the Ottomans
Fortunately, the Byzantine Empire had served its purpose as a bridge to the past and to the achievements of the Muslims.