The Rise of Constantinople
The Byzantine Empire (330-1453 BCE) also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was a large multi-ethnic Orthodox Christian state with a powerful economy, culture, and military force. It was built by Constantine in 330 BCE, after the fall of Rome, and was the first empire in the world to be founded on the authority of the Church. The capital, Constantinople, was located on the Bosporus,a water-way connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, which served as an aid for trade with Asia minor and made it exceedingly difficult to infringe on the capital's defenses. Having a shorter frontier with Europe also benefited greatly from stronger administrative center and internal political stability as welll as substantial wealth compared to other medieval states during this period. Because of these great assets, the eastern emperors were able to apply much power over the empire's economic resources, such as the military. With many of these great advantages, the Eastern Roman Empire was able to sustain itself for centuries after the fall of Rome.
The Byzantine Empire was multi-ethnic state with many cultural influences from the Greeks and the Romans. When the Roman Empire fell in 476, many historical temples and libraries were destroyed, diminishing the knowledge that had been gained under the Greek and Roman civilizations; however, because the Byzantine Empire survived, they strove to preserve as much of Greek and Roman advances for Western Europe. In conclusion, the Byzantine Empire flourished its' culture with Greek and Roman literature, art, and theology. Another great aspect of the Byzantine empire was reli During the 30 years that Emperor Constantine ruled Byzantium, he established many great cultures and practices that allowed the empire to thrive and become powerful. One of the practices he introduced was Christianity, a practice that would become a momentous part of the Eastern Roman Empire for the next 1,000 years. They split from the Catholic Church because the Byzantine Christians did not agree that it was proper to worship icons. This was the first split in Christianity, with the West continuing to practice Catholicism and the East practicing Eastern Orthodox.
The Byzantine Empire was multi-ethnic state with many cultural influences from the Greeks and the Romans. When the Roman Empire fell in 476, many historical temples and libraries were destroyed, diminishing the knowledge that had been gained under the Greek and Roman civilizations; however, because the Byzantine Empire survived, they strove to preserve as much of Greek and Roman advances for Western Europe. In conclusion, the Byzantine Empire flourished its' culture with Greek and Roman literature, art, and theology. Another great aspect of the Byzantine empire was reli During the 30 years that Emperor Constantine ruled Byzantium, he established many great cultures and practices that allowed the empire to thrive and become powerful. One of the practices he introduced was Christianity, a practice that would become a momentous part of the Eastern Roman Empire for the next 1,000 years. They split from the Catholic Church because the Byzantine Christians did not agree that it was proper to worship icons. This was the first split in Christianity, with the West continuing to practice Catholicism and the East practicing Eastern Orthodox.