The Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire is very a crucial part of European history. In 330 A.D. Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople at the heart of what would later become known as the Byzantine Empire. In 395 A.D. the Roman Empire was split into Western Empire (Roman) and Eastern Empire (Byzantium), though it was still referred to as the Roman Empire. In this way some scholars debate that although the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 A.D. the Roman Empire as a whole did not fall until 1453 A.D. when the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottomans. This site is dedicated to the nearly 500 years from just before the first crusade to the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
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On This Site
Government: The Byzantine Empire was always ruled by an emperor who had control of the Empire. This stems from its roots as part of the Roman Empire. Visit the Government page to see how this affected the people of the empire.
Technology: The Byzantines made several important technological advances in architecture and warfare. They were the first to use a weapon that soldiers still carry today. Find out what it is on the Technology page.
Religion/Mythology: Byzantium's religion was once again influenced by their roots in the Roman empire. However, they made their own tweaks to the Catholic tradition and spawned the Greek Orthodox Church. Visit this page to find out what that means.
Crises Endured: The Byzantine Empire faced multiple crises from natural disasters, however, in the time period we are looking at the major criseses came in the form of "help" from the west known as The Crusades. Visit this page to find out what happened.
Allies & Enemies: The Byzantines were having trouble with the Turks and so they turned to their allies in the west. To find out how it worked out for them visit this page.
Geological Influences: The Byzantine Empire surrounded the Black Sea and part of the Mediterranean Sea. To find out the impact of this location visit this page.
Trade & Resources: Due to their location between Europe and Asia the Byzantine Empire was the trading center of the known world. Visit this page to find out what was traded there.
Miscellaneous: Visit this page for other information that we thought was important and interesting.
Technology: The Byzantines made several important technological advances in architecture and warfare. They were the first to use a weapon that soldiers still carry today. Find out what it is on the Technology page.
Religion/Mythology: Byzantium's religion was once again influenced by their roots in the Roman empire. However, they made their own tweaks to the Catholic tradition and spawned the Greek Orthodox Church. Visit this page to find out what that means.
Crises Endured: The Byzantine Empire faced multiple crises from natural disasters, however, in the time period we are looking at the major criseses came in the form of "help" from the west known as The Crusades. Visit this page to find out what happened.
Allies & Enemies: The Byzantines were having trouble with the Turks and so they turned to their allies in the west. To find out how it worked out for them visit this page.
Geological Influences: The Byzantine Empire surrounded the Black Sea and part of the Mediterranean Sea. To find out the impact of this location visit this page.
Trade & Resources: Due to their location between Europe and Asia the Byzantine Empire was the trading center of the known world. Visit this page to find out what was traded there.
Miscellaneous: Visit this page for other information that we thought was important and interesting.
Sources:
http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/imperialism/notes/byzantinechron.html
http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/byzantine-empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Byzantine_inventions
http://www.historydoctor.net/Advanced%20Placement%20World%20History/byzantine_religion_and_influence.htm
http://www.ancient.eu/Byzantine_Empire/
http://www.byzantineempires.org/byzantine-empire-geography-and-landforms.html
http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/byzantine-empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Byzantine_inventions
http://www.historydoctor.net/Advanced%20Placement%20World%20History/byzantine_religion_and_influence.htm
http://www.ancient.eu/Byzantine_Empire/
http://www.byzantineempires.org/byzantine-empire-geography-and-landforms.html