The Byzantine Empire lasted from 476 CE to 1400 CE. It emerged after the fall of the Western Roman Empire when Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople. The Byzantines combined Greek and Roman culture and Christianity became the dominant religion. They adopted many aspects of the Roman Empire including its legal system, infrastructure, and Greco-Roman architectural styles. However, the Byzantine Empire eventually fell as it lost land to other civilizations and Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453 CE.

1. Byzantine Empire
476 CE – 1400
CE

2. Who were the Byzantines
and where did they come
from?
•Constantine left Rome in 313
•Moved east and built Constantinople, presently
Istanbul, Turkey on the Black Sea
• 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 Byzantium

3. Middle Eastern and Greek culture
mixture.
Who lived in Byzantium?

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. Traded mainly with Russia and Italy
Byzantium
Silk cloth, silver jewelry, perfumes and fine
What was the Byzantine economy
glass
based on?

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

8. •All people are equal under the law
•Accused people were granted legal
protection What types of
Justice are
shown here?
• Forgiveness
• Legal court
• Pope
• King
• Judges
• Heaven

9. •They combined Greek and Roman
styles
•Hence the 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 to the Serbs and the Slavic
people. How did the
•Constantinople fell in 1453 CE to the
Byzantine
Ottomans Empire Fall?