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A Byzantine Snapshot
+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?
+Territory
Began with all the territory that was the Eastern Roman Empire
Would slowly expand that territory over time.
+Territory by 565
+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
+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.
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+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
+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
+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
+Art
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+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.
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