The Byzantine Empire, or the eastern Roman Empire, was formed in the year 330 after Roman Emperor Constantine I moved the seat of the Roman government to the city of Constantinople. It was designated a second Rome, and had the advantage of being located on an Asian-Eurpoean trade route and on the Bosporus Strait, which made it incredibly hard to sack or besiege, since water surrounded half of the city. Constantinople was also free from any corruption and political assassination, which made governing easier to do and to manage as well. When the western Roman Empire collapsed in the year 476, the eastern half remained intact, and it remained relatively stable until Emperor Justinian came to power. Emperor Justinian was Emperor of the Byzantine Empire in the mid sixth century, from 527 to 565, and headed his empire’s notable renovatio imperii, or “restoration of the Empire” during that time. Justinian devoted his reign to reclaim the lost western half of the Roman Empire, and recreate it through military conquest and social reform. The military conquest was to expand the Byzantine Empire so it reached the farthest extent of the Roman Empire, which was around the early second century, while the social reform was to recreate the Roman law that once applied during the height of the Roman Empire. So, these questions must be posed: How did Emperor Justinian attempt to reform and recreate the Roman Empire, and what did he do to restore it? Were his legislative and social reforms
“The mother of the world has been killed,” stated a 5th century historian, bereft and appalled when the news of Rome’s fall had reached ear. Certainly his words hold truth, for Rome - the dauntingly colossal Empire engulfing the Mediterranean and all territories around it; the source of artistic, intellectual, and cultural ascendancy; the influential factor of brilliance in so many of the coexisting societies of the western world - was truly the predecessor and creator of all Western Civilization to come. However, what no one knew, was that the lasting impression this powerful and astonishing civilization would make upon the world, even if only through the works of fleeting memory or written text. As always, with loss
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There are many that believe Justinian created a new Roman Empire, however it is effectively demonstrated that he restored the Roman Empire. At the point when posed the question: "Did Justinian revive the Roman Empire, or assemble another Byzantine Empire?, it is clear that he spared the Roman Empire. He restored the realm by saving their legacy, recovering area for the Roman Empire, and safeguarded the Roman religion (Christianity). The Byzantine empire was a Greek talking expansion of the Roman Empire amid the season of 330 AD to 1453. The capital was a city named Constantinople, which is presently called Istanbul. All through its reality, the realm was the most effective monetary, social, and military compel in Europe making it the ideal chance to be revived, instead of remade.
Though both had similar roots, they both took these similar bases & formed it into their own way. Both the Byzantine Empire and Ancient Roman have similar aspects, but each one made it unique. To better understand the similarities and differences of the Byzantine Empire and Ancient Romans one must look at each civilization’s cultural ideas, religion, & dependence on lower class.
The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe originally were part of the Roman Empire, but by the middle Ages(medieval times), they were very different, even though they did share some common traits, but by the 300's, the Byzantine Empire had far surpassed Western Europe in trade and economics and political unity, while both empires were having arguments over religion.
Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, a new empire rose up in the ashes. This new empire, the Byzantine Empire, was a culmination of Western Roman cultures and tradition, yet, it also contains many distinctive features. Originating from the same empire, the two empires display similar cultural roots.
People say that the Byzantine Empire is compared to an accordion. Well, it is. Comparing all of the civilizations and empires we learned about, I find that the Byzantine has a history, where people living in that empire rise at on time and fall inconsiderably during another time. The Byzantine Empire is an empire ruled by Emperor Justantine, and Constantinople was the imperial capital of the Byzantine world until it was invaded by the Turks in 1453. Now, how does the imperial capital, Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, Justinian, and the Crusaders involve in the Byzantine Empire? I find that geography and the achievements of the Empire can be two strong reasoning’s on how and why we should study the Byzantine Empire.
Justinian was born around, 482, He was the Byzantine emperor, after his uncle. He ruled from 527 to 565, making a great impact on the Eastern Roman Empire. His first priority was to strengthen the empire, and return it to its prior ancient glory. Outstandingly, he was able to restore the city, Constantinople, after multiple important religious buildings, were burned down, and destroyed, during approximately January, 11 – 19, 532.
In 324, the Byzantine empire is created in Constantinople from the ashes of the fallen Roman empire. Around 200 years later, Emperor Justinian would take the throne in 527 and became one of the most influential rulers. Justinian’s goal was clear, restoration of the glory of the old Roman empire. However his goals never came to fruition as he would end up creating a new Byzantine empire. Although Justinian‘s Byzantine was reminiscent of the old Roman Empire in both architecture and territories, Justinian’s Byzantine empire was its own unique empire in that it had a different religion, capital, and women rights.
Last but not least, the crusades led to the decline of the Byzantine Empire by demolishing their economy. The Annales Herbipolenses demonstrates the Christians were so desperate for help, they took any and every person to fight, they did not require any person to be skilled. The crusades weakened the economy making people want to fight due to how poor they lived their lives especially those who held low social status such as serfs or peasants. The need for monetary support in the West left them vulnerable and ultimately led to the sacking of Constantinople (Doc 3.) This writer is anonymous but by the location of the writer, the writer must have had a Germanic nature, therefore the information must be valid because Germany was a Catholic nation,
The era dominated by Roman empire is one the most well-known and influential periods of history, home to famous names from Julius Caesar to Jesus Christ. At its height, Rome’s territory stretched from the Atlantic coastline to the Middle East, reigning over 60 million people, one-fifth of the population of the ancient world. However, the Roman empire’s treatment of their conquered people’s and their own citizens ultimately led to the permanent downfall of Rome.
The fall of the Roman Empire in 476 C.E resulted in many tragedies, as history “replays” itself, this fall led to starts, the land that was once known as Rome split into two pieces, the eastern part known as the Byzantine Empire and the western part known as medieval Western Europe. However, the empires wasn’t one that overtook Rome, the Byzantine Empire was rather known as a continuation of the Roman Empire, which was known to be more politically centralized than Western Europe, and the two empires were known to have different religious aspects as well, though there are differences in these empires, being both emerged from Rome led them to having similar aspects in many ways as well.
Although there are many empires in history that influenced the modern world, the Byzantine Empire is one of the most important to learn about. This empire defeated many areas to help spread the religion. In Document A, the information explains that if they hadn't defeated the Persians, Avars, and Arabs most of the world may be Muslim. In other words, if one of these empires conquered the Byzantine empire than all of Europe and most of American along with the rest of the world, would be the Islamic religion, rather than Christianity, Jewish or other religions. We should also study the Byzantine empire because it had a very efficient and advanced defensive system for that time period.
During the year 535, Justinian overthrew the Ostrogothic Kingdom, which had occupied Italy after the split and decline of the Roman Empire. Justinian was said to be the most ambitious emperor since Constantine, whose rule ended in 337. His goal in overthrowing the Ostrogothic Kingdom was to eventually reunify the Roman Empire. Belisarius, Justinian’s general, had already
The Roman empire is considered one of the most powerful and longest lasting empire of all time by most historians. At its peak the Roman empire managed to take control and rule nearly the whole inhabited world at the time. Though their military achievements were outstanding the Romans also excelled at legislature. The Romans ran a governmental system which was most like a republic which the power was in the hand of the senators and patricians. The senators and patricians were mostly extremely rich elders of the community who linked themselves to gods. Though the people were the ones who voted for the senators the rich always voted who they wanted because they were the first to vote which made the senate corrupt since the lower classes barely got a say. Although the Roman empire was extremely successful historians are always doing research to figure out what elements led to its collapse. However, the Roman legislature, use of propaganda to sway public opinion, military power to conquer lands, and philosophy were essential reasons for the extended survival of the Roman empire.