The Byzantine Empire and Justinian
Timeline of the Fall of Rome
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324- Constantine reunites Roman Empire
330- Moves the capital to Constantinople
410- Rome is attacked by the Vandals
413- Constantinople begins building its
protective walls to keep Germanics out
• 420- Rome attacked again
• 476- Rome falls, along with the Empire
The New
Roman
Empire
Empire 565 AD
Byzantine
Empire
Empire 668 AD
The New Capital: Constantinople
• Location picked for many reasons
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Far away from Germanic invaders (barbarians)
Close to connections with the East for trade
Protected by the Black Sea and other water
Easily able to defend it; could only attack 1 way
• Had an interesting set up for the city
• Large walls and moats protected it
• Many famous buildings still there today
Layout of Constantinople
Protective Walls of Constantinople
• Walls were used
to keep invaders
out or at least
stall them
• Had three levels,
and moats
• Archers could
rain down
arrows
New Leader Following Rome’s Fall
• Justinian becomes the new emperor in 527
– Reunifies the empire as his first duty
– Attacks Germanic tribes to regain lands (Rome)
• Creates a new empire due to lack of
communication w/ Rome
• Changes many things about the Roman
Empire, including language and church
Changes in the Byzantine Empire
• Justinian’s Code- new legal code
– Based off Roman law- took the best laws
– Lasted for over 900 years after his death
• Language changes
– Used to be Latin, now native language is Greek
• Changes in the Church
– Church branches into Western and Eastern
– Have different beliefs, becomes Eastern Orthodox
Justinian’s Other Improvements
• Rebuilt the major protective walls
• Rebuilds the Hagia Sophia
– Was a major religious building; was destroyed
– Rebuilt due to love for religious buildings
• Beautified Constantinople w/ different things
– Used mosaics all over the city
– Used lights and candles to light up mosaics
• Also built baths, aqueducts, laws, schools
and hospitals
Hagia Sophia