Byzantine Empire 7th Grade Social Studies Standard 7.1.3. English Language Arts Standards RD1.3, RD 2.1, RD2.3, WR 1.3 The Byzantine Empire was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the east. In 330 C.E. the emperor Constantine moved his capital from Rome to the ancient city of Byzantium. The city was an old Greek trading colony on the eastern edge of Europe. Constantine called his capital New Rome, but it soon became known as Constantinople (Greek for “Constantine’s City”). After control of the huge empire was usually divided between Constantine’s reign, two emperors. One was based in Rome, and one in Constantinople. After the fall of Rome, the eastern half of the empire continued for another 1000 years. Constantinople-- Constantinople was more than 800 miles to the east of Rome. Why did Constantine choose this site to the capital of the Roman Empire? One reason was that the site was easy to defend. It was surrounded on three sides by water. The Byzantines fashioned a chain across the harbor to guard against city’s seafaring intruders. Miles of walls, fortified by watchtowers and gates, made invasion by land or sea difficult. Constantinople also stood at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and the many sea and overland trade routes linking east and west. Under the Byzantines, this location helped make the city, and some of its citizens, fabulously wealthy. For more than 700 years, Constantinople was the richest and most elegant city in the Mediterranean region. Ivory, silk, furs, perfumes, and other luxury items flowed through its markets.
Byzantine Empire 7th Grade Social Studies Standard 7.1.3. English Language Arts Standards RD1.3, RD 2.1, RD2.3, WR 1.3 The Byzantine Empire was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the east. In 330 C.E. the emperor Constantine moved his capital from Rome to the ancient city of Byzantium. The city was an old Greek trading colony on the eastern edge of Europe. Constantine called his capital New Rome, but it soon became known as Constantinople (Greek for “Constantine’s City”). After Constantine’s reign, control of the huge empire was usually divided between two emperors. One was based in Rome, and one in Constantinople. After the fall of Rome, the eastern half of the empire continued for another 1000 years. Constantinople-- Constantinople was more than 800 miles to the east of Rome. Why did Constantine choose this site to the capital of the Roman Empire? One reason was that the site was easy to defend. It was surrounded on three sides by water. The Byzantines fashioned a chain across the city’s harbor to guard against seafaring intruders. Miles of walls, fortified by watchtowers and gates, made invasion by land or sea difficult. Constantinople also stood at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and the many sea and overland trade routes linking east and west. Under the Byzantines, this location helped make the city, and some of its citizens, fabulously wealthy. For more than 700 years, Constantinople was the richest and most elegant city in the Mediterranean region. Ivory, silk, furs, perfumes, and other luxury items flowed through its markets.