WHY WAS CONSTANTINOPLE IMPORTANT?
The fall of Rome we learned that Constantine moved to the capital of Rome Empire to a new city which later was later called Constantinople. It become romans empire new capital of Rome Empire. By 500s the new capital became one of the greatest cities and it lay on the waterways of the Black sea and Gregean Sea its harbor offered safe shelter for fishing boats,trading ships, and warships.It also sat on the trade route between Europe and Asia so it made the capital a wealthily place.The sea protected it on 3 sides and on the fourth side a huge wall guard the city. Later a huge chain was even strung across the north harbor for more protection so the invaders couldn't easily take over it.
HOW DID THE GREEK CULTURE INFLUENCE BYZANTINE EMPIRE?
First of all they followed Rome way Constantinople was known as the new Rome. Its building was built Roman style the city even had an oval arena called hippodrome where chariots races and other events where held.The poor people received free bread and shows on the other hand the wealthily people lived in huge towns or on large farming estates.later on the empire became less roman and more greek.All these cultures blended together.
What DID JUSTINIAN AND THEODORA PLAY IN BYZANTINE HISTORY ?
Justinian became emperor of the Byzantine Empire in 527 and ruled until 565. He was a strong leader and he controlled the militayr made laws and supreme judge. He couldn't be questioned His wife Theodora was intelligent and strong willed. She was an actress and convinced her husband to give women more rights.So now the wife acne own land she also saved his throne because when angry tax payers threatened to overthrow him but she told him to stay and fight and he did and won.
WHAT WERE SOME OF JUSTINIAN CONQUEST AND WHY WAS JUSTINIAN LAW CODE IMPORTANTHe wanted to reunited the Roman Empire and bring back the glory but to do this he had to conquer Western Europe and Northern Africa. He ordered Belsairius to strengthen and lead the Roman Army. Instead in foot they rely on horses. They conquered most of Italy and Northern Africa including defeated Persia in the East. After Justinian Death they didn't have enough money to maintain the army.
Justinian decide that the law was unorganized and complicated so ordered that legal scholar headed by tribzonian to reform the law and it was called Justinian code now it is easily understood and had a great influence. Family was center of social life in Byzantine culture. The government and religion stressed out over marriage and family life.It was rare that there was a divorce and women stayed at home and took care of the house and family.Women did gain some rights thanks to Theodora.The boys studied Religion, medicine, law, arthritics, grammar and other important subjects. Girls usually did not attended school and were taught at home.Many books were about Religion and to obey god and save one soul.
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