It is really important to watch and finish the video. It will be on the exam! We must know
about it. Watch it, watch it, watch it! Tonight we will discuss the byzantine empire in
russia.
The byzantine empire and russia. We have two major civilizations that develop here that
are different. The Byzantine empire and its culture, while it is a succession and
progression from the Roman empire, it is unique. Much of the culture of the russian
empire borrows its civilization from the byzantine empire. We haven't talked about
eastern Europe it. Those places haven't been civilized yet. The roman empire in the
west never expanded that far in the eastern/central europe. We are talking about the
post classical world here, after the 500's. Both are going orb characterize by
orthodox
Christianity. Constantinople is the center of the civilizations. It is different than eastern
Europe in its language, customs, and culture. It goes all the way
up to the modern era,
Russia. Russia emerges out of eastern culture.
Let's talk about the origins of the
byzantine empire
. Some historians say the the
Byzantine empire is the roman empire. They say that the roman empire fell the same
year the byzantine empire. Rome founded this eastern branch. The capital is
constantinople
. Why does the roman empire found the second capital? It was very
huge, too large to govern. It was in a process of decline by that time. They need a
second capital city and a second seat of administrative government. Why choose an
easter location? A place like london was a frontier. There was lots of activity to the east.
THese parts of the world had been civilized before. THey had contact with the persian
empire, the greeks lived here. IT was a cultural center. IT was a logical choice.. It was a
very wealthy part of the roman empire as well. Luxury items traded through here. THe
eastern part was a civilized area. It made allot of sense to choose a part of the eastern
empire. The city is a n important site as well, because it is located in a shipping area, on
a strait. It is a strategic location. It has access to asia and mediterranean. It is the only
city to span two continents. instantiate aging to found the city. He will direct allot of the
construction. IT is easier to defend because it was surrounded by water. Constantine
built walls around the city. Form the time the city is constructed in the 300's, until it falls
to the ottomans in 1453, it is never conquered. They have great defenses. It had a
hippodrome for chariot racing. Eventually it becomes the center and seat of orthodox
Christianity. Constantine makes Christianity legal after building this city. Once the
Christian church splits between the east and west, this becomes the center. Almost
from the beginning, constantine is allowing the construction of massive churches. THe
byzantine empire is heavily influenced by greek culture. It is located near greece. It has
greek art, language, science, knowledge. The Byzantines thought that greek culture
