Byzantine Empire
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Why was constantinople important?
By the 500s, the city had become one of the greatest in the world. Its location played a major role in this. Constantinople laid between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. Its harbors was a safe place for fishing boats, trade ships, and warships. It was also between the crossroads of trading routes between Asia and Europe. Sea protected it on 3 sides, and a huge wall guarded the fourth. Then a huge chain was strung across the city's north harbor.
How did Greek culture influence the Byzantine empire?
At first Constantinople was considered a "New Rome."However, as time passed, they became less Roman and more Greek. Most Byzantines spoke Greek. They also admired their Greek past. Byzantine emperors and officials started to speak Greek as well.
What did Justinian and Theodora do?
Justinian became emperor from 527-565. He was a strong leader that controlled the military, made laws, and was supreme judge. Theodora, his wife, helped him rule. Theodora was a former actress, she was strong-willed and intelligent. She helped Justinian choose government officials. Theodora also convinced Justinian to give women more rights. Women were guarunteed that if they were widowed, they were able to care for their children and own land. In 532 she helped to save his throne. Angry taxpayers threatened to overthrow Justinian and storm the palace during the Nika rebellion. His advisers urged him to run from Constantinople. Theodora however, told him to stay and fight. He took her advice. He stayed in the city and crushed the uprising. Justinian wanted to reunite the Roman empire. He ordered a general called Belisarius to strengthen and lead the Byzantine army. Instead of foot soldiers, the army relied on horses. They conquered most of Italy and Northern Africa and defeated the Persians in the East. Justinian then hired a group of scholars headed by Tribonian to reform the code of law. The people could now fully understand the laws. These laws were given the name Justinian Code.
Why was trade important to the Byzantine Empire?
From the 500s to the 1100s, the Byzantine empire was the center of trade between Europe and Asia. Spices, gems, metals, and cloths were shipped to the empire from Asia. For these items, Byzantine merchants would trade farm goods, fur, money, and enslaved people. One of the major Byzantine industries was weaving silk. It developed around 550. Byzantine travelers smuggled silk worm eggs out of China. They were brought to Constantinople, and were fed mulberry leaves.
What was unique about Byzantine art and architecture?
Justinian and other emperors supported artists and architects. They ordered the building of forts, public buildings, and churches. Constantinople was known for its thousands of churches. One of the most famous was a church called Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) It still stands today in Istanbul, Turkey.
what role did women play?
The family was the center of social life to the Byzantines. Religion and government stressed the importance of marriage and family. Divorces were rare and hard to get. Byzantine women were to stay home and take care of their families. Women did get some legal rights thanks to Theodora. Several royal women served as regents and some ruled the empire themselves in their own right.
Why is education important?
It was highly respected for Byzantines to have an excellent education. The government encouraged the training of scholars and government officials. In the schools, boys would study religion, medicine, law, arithmetic, grammar, and other subjects. Girls usually did not attend schools and were taught at home. Most Byzantine authors wrote about religion. They stressed the importance to obey God and save their souls. Byzantine authors passed on the old writings of Greeks and Romans. Many important works about the ancient world would have been lost forever.