The Byzantine Empire lasted from 476 CE to 1453 CE, originating as the eastern half of the Roman Empire based in Constantinople. It combined Greek and Roman cultural influences and adopted Christianity in the 4th century. The Byzantine Empire developed an advanced civilization with laws protecting equal rights, and innovations in architecture, art, and governance that influenced Western Europe. However, it gradually lost territory and faced constant warfare, culminating in the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, bringing an end to the Byzantine Empire.

1. 476 CE – 1400 CE
Byzantine Empire

2. Who were the Byzantines and
where did they come from?
•Constantine left Rome in 313
•Moved east and named the city Constantinople,
presently Istanbul
• Rome remained the eastern capital; Constantinople
became the western capital
•Constantine ruled until his death in 337
•The city of Rome fell in 476 to Germanic invaders.
•After Rome fell, Constantinople became known as the

3. Who lived in Byzantium?
It was a mixture of Middle Eastern and Greek
cultures.

4. Christianity
was a minor
religion until
the 300’s CE.

5. •Hagia Sophia
•Literally means “Holy Wisdom” Completed in 537 CE.
•Christian Church with spectacular architectural styles of Greek
and Roman

6. What was the Byzantine economy
based on?
Russia and Italy were their dominate trading partners
Byzantium traded silk cloth, silver jewelry, perfumes and
fine glass

7. What did the Byzantine
Empire take from the
Roman Empire?
•Paved Roads; museums, libraries, parks; homes; churche
and schools.
•It was the most advanced city in Medieval Europe.

8. •All people are equal under the law
•Accused people were granted legal
protection
What were their
laws and where did
they acquire them?

9. •They combined Greek and Roman styles
•Greco-Roman Style was born
What were the Byzantines’
contributions to civilization?

10. •They shielded Western Europe from southern invaders
•Protecting Western European society

11. •They were constantly at war with other civilizations
•They lost land in the west from the Serbs and the
Slavic people.
•Constantinople fell in 1453 CE to the
Ottomans
•Byzantine was no more.
How did the
Byzantine
Empire Fall?
In 1453 the
Byzantine
Empire was no
more.