Byzantine Empire Quiz Flashcards
Crisis of the Third Century
A period in which the Roman Empire almost totally collapsed. Rome dealt with multiple wars (both civil wars and wars against outside enemies), the repeated assassination of its Emperors, and the complete collapse of its economy.
Diocletian
Emperor of Rome who helped save the Empire from the Crisis of the Third Century. His most important contribution was being the first Emperor to split the Roman Empire into east and west.
Constantine
Emperor of Rome who was the first to convert to Christianity and made Christianity legal throughout the Empire. Moved the capital of the Empire to the east to a city that he built and named after himself: Constantinople.
The Byzantine Empire
The Eastern Roman Empire
Constantinople
The capital city of the Byzantine Empire. It was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world due to its connection to trade between Asia and Europe as well as the fact that in was considered unconquerable thanks to both natural and human-made defenses.
Justinian
Byzantine Emperor who reigned for almost 40 years, famous for his contributions to the Empire. This includes the creation of Justinian’s Code, construction of the Hagia Sophia, and the conquest of territory that once was controlled by the Western Roman Empire.
Theodora
Wife of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Unique because she was treated as a co-ruler by her husband. One of the most powerful women of the ancient world, she helped pass laws in the Byzantine Empire giving rights and freedoms to women.
Justinian’s Code
A collection of laws created by Justinian based on Roman law. These laws covered aspects of everyday such as debt, marriage, inheritance, and crime/punishments. It also expanded the rights of women, such as allowing them to divorce and own property.
Hagia Sophia
A massive church in Constantinople that was built by Justinian. Mixed both eastern and western architecture. At different time in history, it has been used as a Catholic church, an Orthodox Christian church, and an Islamic mosque.
Great Schism of 1054
The first major split within Christianity, resulting in the Catholicism being the major Christian religion in the west and Orthodox Christianity being the major Christian religion in the east.
