Why was Constantinople important
Before Rome fell, one of Rome's emperors moved the capital to Constantinople. This emperor was Constantine. Later Constantinople became the capital of Byzantine in the 500s. Constantinople became extremely popular because of this. Byzantine became the new Rome.But one of the biggest reasons for Constantinople's success was the location. It was near the waterways of the Black and the Aegean sea. The harbors near these seas offered safe protection to many of the boats that traveled near. It sat at the cross roads for trade routes between Europe and Asia. This made the city extremely wealthy. Constantinople had a secure location for trade. Because of it's location on the Peninsula, Constantinople was easily defended. There were three sides protected, and on the 4th there was a wall guarding the city. A huge chain was hung across the city's north harbor, later.
How did Greek culture influence the Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was first influenced by Rome in many ways. Constantinople was called the "new Rome" Many of the buildings were built in Roman style. Remember how Rome had a Colosseum, well the Byzantine's had something similar. They had a Hippodrome where sporting events were held. Political and social life was a similar to Rome as well. Emperors spoke Latin and enforced Roman laws. Poor Byzantines also received free bread and shows. The wealthy lived on large farming estates. As time went on the Byzantine Empire became less Roman and more Greek. From 500 to 1200 the Byzantine Empire had one of the world's richest and most advanced Empires.
What did Justinian and Theodora do
Justinian was the Empire in 527 and he ruled until 565. Justinian was known as a strong Emperor. He controlled the military and created laws. He was also supreme judge. Theodora, Justinian's wife the empress helped Justinian with the empire, She was an actress who was intelligent, She had convinced him to give the women of the Byzantine Empire more rights, For the first time a woman could own land. In 532 Theodora helped Justinian save his thrown. Many angry tax payers had threatened to overthrow Justinian. Justinian's advisors told him to get out of Constantinople, but Theodora told him to stay and fight back. Justinian took her advice and stayed in the empire and fought.
Why was trade important to the Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine was the center of trade from 500 to 1100 between Europe and Asia. Trade goods from the present Russia in the north, Mediterranean lands in the south., Latin Europe in the west., Persia and China in the east passed through the Empire. From Asian ships and caravans brought luxury goods such as spices, gems, metals, and cloth to Constantinople. Merchants in Byzantine would trade fur, money, and slaves for these items. Most of the Byzantines were not merchants, but farmers, herders, and laborers, and artisans. One of the biggest industries in the Byzantine Empire was weaving silk. This began around 500. Byzantine travelers would smuggle silk worm eggs in china and bring it to Constantinople. Weavers would make silk which brought wealth to Byzantine.
What was unique about Byzantine arts and architecture
Many emperors including Justinian had supported arts and architecture. They supported the buildings of churches, forts, and public buildings. Constantinople was known for the thousands of churches built. One of Justinian's greatest accomplishments was the building of Hagia and Sophia which was a church completed in 537. It is made from marble and contains many mosaics. Mosaics are colored glass or stone used to create pictures. These pictures were usually pictures of figures of saints or Christian holy people.
What role did women play
The family was the center for social life for most Byzantines. Religion and Government felt that marriage was extremely important. Divorces hardly ever happened and on that topic they were hard to get as well. Byzantine women were discouraged to live independent lives. They were expected to stay home and take care of families. Because of Theodora women gained some extremely important rights. They could now become educated and take part in politics. A regent is someone stands in for a ruler who is too young or too ill to rule. Royal women were able to serve as regents. A few women even ruled the empire.
Why is education important
In the Empire education was highly respected, The government supported the training of scholars. Boys studied religion, medicine, law, arithmetic, and grammar. Girls didn't go to school, instead they stayed at home and were taught. The Byzantines highly stressed the importance of Christianity. Most authors wrote about religion. To strengthen their faith, they wrote about the lives of saints. They copied and passed on the writing of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Without the copies from the Byzantines, many important works from the ancient world would have been non-existent.