The New Rome (Geography & Origins)
This emperor moved the capital of the Roman Empire to the East in 330 AD and named the city after himself.
Who is Constantine?
This powerful Empress and former actress served as Justinian’s most trusted advisor and co-ruler.
Who is Theodora?
Built by Justinian, the name of this massive domed church means "Holy Wisdom."
What is the Hagia Sophia?
This was the primary language used in the Eastern Orthodox Church
What is Greek?
This group finally conquered Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire.
Who are the Ottoman Turks?
Located on a peninsula, Constantinople was ideally situated for trade between these two continents.
What are Europe and Asia?
Justinian’s most lasting contribution was this organized collection of revised Roman laws.
What is the Justinian Code?
Byzantine artists were famous for these pictures made from small pieces of colored glass or stone.
What are mosaics?
Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, the Byzantine Emperor claimed authority over this highest official in the Eastern Church.
Who is the Patriarch?
After the conquest, the city of Constantinople was renamed to this.
What is Istanbul?
This was the original name of the city before Constantine transformed it into his "New Rome."
What is Byzantium?
This massive riot in 532 AD nearly toppled Justinian’s throne until Theodora convinced him to stay and fight.
What are the Nika Riots?
These religious images of saints or Jesus were often used in prayer, leading to a major controversy in the church.
What are icons?
This is the year the Christian Church officially split into the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.
What is 1054 AD?
The Byzantines preserved the knowledge of these two ancient civilizations during the Middle Ages.
What are cannons (or gunpowder)?
Constantinople was strategically located on this narrow body of water that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.
What is the Bosporus Strait?
This general was responsible for reclaiming lost Roman territories in North Africa and Italy for Justinian.
Who is Belisarius?
This term refers to "image breakers" who followed the Emperor's orders to destroy religious icons.
What are iconoclasts?
This major disagreement regarding the Pope's power was a primary cause of the Great Schism.
What is Papal Supremacy (or the Pope claiming authority over all Christians)?
This 1204 AD event, where Western Christians attacked Constantinople, permanently weakened the empire.
What is the Fourth Crusade?
This was the primary reason the Eastern Roman Empire survived for 1,000 years longer than the Western Roman Empire.
What are its superior defenses (walls) and wealthier trade routes?
This was the long-term negative effect of Justinian’s wars to reclaim the West.
What is the bankruptcy of the empire (or leaving it vulnerable to future attacks)?
Byzantine architecture is best known for placing a circular dome on a square building using these triangular supports.
What are pendentives?
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, these religious leaders were allowed to marry, unlike their Catholic counterparts.
Who are priests?
Following the fall of the empire, many Byzantine scholars fled to Italy, helping to spark this cultural "rebirth."
What is the Renaissance?