Ch 9: The Byzantine Empire
About This Chapter
The Byzantine Empire - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
Considered the 'New Rome,' the Byzantine Empire preserved Roman culture from the founding of its capital, Constantinople, in 330 A.D. until its collapse more than 1000 years later. During this period, powerful Byzantine emperors conquered territory and spread their culture from North Africa to Italy. We'll learn about the founding of Constantinople, the expansion of the empire and the impact of the split between the Eastern and Western churches. This chapter is designed to teach you:
- How Constantinople was founded and by whom
- When Christianity was sanctioned as an approved religion and how it spread through the empire
- How the empire grew and facts about influential leaders
- The cause of the Great Schism between the Eastern Church in Constantinople and the Western Church in Rome
- How this religious separation influenced future world events
| Video | Objective |
|---|---|
| The Establishment of Constantinople | Learn facts about the founding of the capital city and the establishment of the empire. |
| The Development of the Byzantine Empire | Discover how the empire expanded in territory and in influence. |
| Byzantine vs. Rome: Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic | Study the division of the Church and the differences in the views of each branch, especially in regard to political involvement. |
1. The Establishment of Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and today, under the name of Istanbul, it is Turkey's largest city. Learn about the establishment of Constantinople, explore Constantinople's role as a new Rome, review the cultural differences that marked the city's establishment, and understand the events that led to the decline of the West.
2. The Development of the Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was a complex empire ruled by Justinian the Great. Explore the rise and decline of the Byzantines, including the fatal cultural differences of East and West Rome and the Emperor's role in bringing the Empire back to greatness.
3. Byzantine vs. Rome: Eastern Orthodox & Roman Catholic
As the Roman Empire collapsed and the Byzantine Empire gained power, the Catholic Church separated into the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Learn how the Romans tried to use the church to maintain power, compare how the church changed in response to the Roman and Byzantine emperors, and analyze the impact of the Great Schism of 1054.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the World History: Middle School course
- Paleolithic Era to the Agricultural Revolution
- Civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt & Kush
- The Ancient Hebrews
- Ancient Greek Civilization
- Early Civilization in India
- Early Civilization in China
- The Roman Republic
- The Roman Empire and Cultural Legacies
- Islamic Civilizations in the Middle Ages
- Middle & Late Imperial China
- Africa (500-1800 CE)
- Feudal Japan
- Medieval Europe
- Meso-American & Andean Civilizations
- Renaissance Europe
- The Reformation in Europe
- The Scientific Revolution
- The Enlightenment
- Europe and the Age of Exploration