The+rise+and+decline+of+the+Byzantine+Empire

The Byzantine Empire

Constantine Creates a “New Rome” The Roman emperor Constantine rebuilt the city of Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople. Constantinople grew wealthy from the trade industry. In 330, Constantine made Constantinople the new capital of the Roman empire. Over time, the eastern Roman empire became known as the Byzantine empire.

**Constantinople Grows** The vital center of the empire was Constantinople. The city was located on the shores of the Bosporus, a strait that links the Mediterranean and Black seas. Constantinople had an excellent harbor and was guarded on three sides by water. Emperors after Constantine built an elaborate system of land and sea walls to bolster its defenses.

Equally important, Constantinople commanded key trade routes linking Europe and Asia. For centuries, the city’s favorable location made it Europe’s busiest marketplace. There, merchants sold silks from China, wheat from Egypt, gems from India, spices from Southeast Asia, and furs from Viking lands in the north.

At the center of the city, Byzantine emperors and empresses lived in glittering splendor. Dressed in luxurious silk, they attended chariot races at the Hippodrome arena. Crowds cheered wildly as rival charioteers careened around and around in their vehicles. The spectacle was another reminder of the city’s glorious Roman heritage.

Byzantium Flourishes Under Justinian The Byzantine empire reached its full potential under Justinian. Byzantine armies took over North Africa and sections of southern Europe. However, these victories were only to last a short time, as Justinian’s successors lost these lands.

**The Great City Is Rebuilt** After a ﬁre broke out in 532, Justinian made Constantinople even better. One of his most famous achievements was rebuilding the church of Hagia Sophia. Justinian also had a commission collect and organize the laws of Rome.

**Justinian’s Code Has Far-Reaching Effects** This collection became known as Justinian’s Code. It helped unite the empire, which Justinian ruled with complete authority. His wife, Theodora, served as an advisor and co-ruler.



The Empire S uffers Crisis and Collapse By the time of the schism, the Byzantine empire was in decline.

**The Crusades Lead to Plunder** In the 1090s, the Byzantine emperor asked the pope for help in ﬁghting the Muslim Seljuks. This started the First Crusade. In 1204, knights on the Fourth Crusade attacked Constantinople. The Byzantines lost control of trade and much of their wealth.

**Constantinople Falls to the Turks** In 1453, Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, renamed it Istanbul, and made it the capital of their empire.

The Byzantine Heritage The Byzantines left an inﬂuential heritage. Their civilization mixed Christian beliefs with Greek science, philosophy, and arts. Byzantine artists created unique religious icons and mosaics. Byzantine scholars saved Greek literature and created their own great books, especially in history.