7.1 Byzantine Notes.docx - 7.1 Byzantine Empire...

7.1 Byzantine Empire
Introduction
 Over a 300-year period, the western part of the Roman Empire steadily declined because
of internal and external problems.
 Causes such as:
o Economy
o Military
o Geographic size
o Disease
o Weak Administration
o Invasions
 Emperor Constantine established a second capital at Byzantium, which he renamed
Constantinople establishing the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) to provide
political, economic, and military advantages.
Location of Constantinople
 Protection of the Eastern frontier
 Distance from Germanic invasions in the western empire.
 Crossroads of trade.
 Easily fortified site on a peninsula bordered by natural harbors.
Role of Constantinople
 The seat of the Byzantine Empire until the Ottoman conquest
 Preserved classical Greco-Roman culture
 Center of trade
Political Development