By the late 400s, life in Rome had become difficult. Rome's population decreased as schools closed due to high taxes and soaring prices that left Romans in poverty. By the late 400s, Rome and the Roman Empire slowly collapsed.

1. By the late 400s, life in Rome became very difficult.
Rome’s population decreased and schools began to
close. Taxes as well as prices for goods soared, leaving
the Roman people very poor. By the late 400s, Rome and
the entire Roman Empirempire slowly collapsed.
If you were living in Rome during the 400s, what would
you do to help fix the problems that Rome faced?
Write 3-5 sentences as a response.

2. I can analyze the legacy of the
Byzantine Empire and its rulers.
7.2 Summarize the consequences of the fall
of the Roman Empire including the
continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire as
the Byzantine Empire, Justinian and the
significance of Constantinople.

3. In 284 AD
Diocletian
became Roman
emperor. He
decided that the
huge Roman
empire could
only be ruled
effectively by
splitting it into
two parts.
How would this
division impact the
Roman Empire?

4. • In 330 AD Constantine
rebuilt the old Greek
port of Byzantium, at
the entrance to the
Black Sea.
• He renamed the city
Constantinople and
made the city the
capital of the Eastern
Roman Empire.

5. How does Constantinople’s location on the
map aid the city in terms of trade and power?

6. • By 395 AD, the Roman
Empire was formally
divided into two empires.
The Eastern Roman Empire
and the Western Roman
Empire
• With the invasion of
Germanic forces from the
north, the Western Roman
Empire was conquered and
divided.

7. The Byzantine Empire was wealthy
and produced goods such as gold,
silk, grain, olives, and wine. They
traded these for spices, ivory and
precious stones from countries as
far away as China and India along
the Silk Road trade routes.

8. • At first, the Byzantine
Empire controlled only
a small area around
the eastern
Mediterranean.
• During the reign of
Justinian (527-565),
the empire started to
recover much of the
territory of the old
Roman empire.

9. The Byzantine Empire Under
Justinian
This map depicts the
Empire at the death
of Justinian I, who
had reigned from
527 to 565 as sole
Emperor,
sometimes in
concert, and
sometimes in
conflict, with his
powerful wife
Theodora.

10. - They built this beautiful
church named Hagia Sophia
which still stands to this day.
- Justinian ruled with
complete authority with the
help of Theodora.
- Together they created a
massive Christian empire.

11. Justinian organized all the laws
of ancient Rome.
• Laws were fairer to women
allowing them to own
property.
• Children were allowed to
choose their own marriage
partners.
• Punishments were detailed
and fit the crime.
• His work inspired the modern
concept of justice…hence his
name.

12. • The Byzantine Empire
drew to a close in 1453
when forces from the
Muslim Ottoman Empire
to the south surrounded
and conquered
Constantinople.
• The ancient Christian city
was renamed Istanbul
and became the capital of
the Ottoman Empire.

13. 10 minutes
End
The Byzantine Empire

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