The Byzantine Empire formed after Constantine renamed Byzantium to Constantinople in 330 CE and it became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. When the Western Empire fell, the Eastern Empire became its own sovereign empire centered around Constantinople, which was a heavily fortified and wealthy capital located strategically on trade routes. The Byzantine Empire maintained the technology and culture of the Roman Empire but with a Greek influence and Orthodox Christian faith. It was governed by an emperor with divine authority.

1. +
A Byzantine Snapshot

2. +
The Empire Forms
 In 330 CE, Constantine
renamed the city of Byzantium
Constantinople
 When the Roman Empire was
split, Constantinople became
the capital of the Eastern
Roman Empire
 When the Western Empire
fell, the Eastern Empire
became its own sovereign
empire
 What does sovereign
mean?

3. +
Territory
 Began with all the territory that
was the Eastern Roman Empire
 Would slowly expand that
territory over time.

4. +
Territory by 565

5. +
Capital
 Constantinople was the heavily
fortified capital of the Byzantine
Empire.
 Located at the crossroads of Asian
and European trade routes
 Easily defended from land, the city
was surrounded by water on three
sides
 Had strong walls and was well
defended

6. +
Capital
 The harbor had chains strung
across it to prevent unwanted
ships from getting in.
 When Rome fell, became the
wealthiest and most advanced
city in the western world
 Eventually became home to over
one million people.

7. +

8. +
Technology
 Maintained level of Roman
technology
 Had a rare sewer system to
maintain public health
 Crossroads for both European and
Middle Eastern thought and
technologies
 Provided social services including
hospitals, nursing
homes, orphanages

9. +
Culture
 The Byzantine Empire changed
the language of the Empire from
Roman to Greek
 Followed Greek culture
 This happened as the Latin areas
of the Roman empire were taken
over and the Greek areas
remained

10. +
Culture
 Art was focused on religious figures and scenes
 For recreation, the people of the Byzantine empire
would watch chariot races in the Hippodrome
 Had unique architecture different from both Rome and
Greece

11. +
Art

12. +

13. +

14. +
Government
 Emperor was the head of
government and was was
believed to have divine authority
 The Senate did not have any
real authority, but continued to
exist
 Strategos were people that
governed certain regions of the
empire. Sup?