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Investigating how the Eastern Roman Empire preserved culture and law in Constantinople.
What if the Roman Empire didn't actually 'fall' in 476 CE, but simply moved its headquarters to a city so wealthy and well-defended that it survived for another thousand years?
While the Western Roman Empire collapsed under invasions, the Eastern half—known as the Byzantine Empire—thrived. Its capital, Constantinople, was located on the Bosporus Strait, a narrow waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. This location acted as a 'toll booth' between Europe and Asia. Because it sat at the crossroads of the Silk Road, the empire became incredibly wealthy by taxing the silk, spices, and grain passing through. Defensively, the city was nearly impregnable; it was surrounded by water on three sides and protected by the massive Theodosian Walls on the fourth. For over years, this geography allowed the Byzantines to preserve Greek and Roman culture while the rest of Europe entered the 'Dark Ages'.
Imagine you are a merchant in the year CE. 1. You are carrying silk from China (East) to sell in France (West). 2. To cross by land safely, you must pass through Constantinople. 3. The Byzantine Emperor charges a tax on your goods. 4. With thousands of merchants doing this daily, the empire collects millions in gold without ever leaving the city.
Quick Check
Why was Constantinople's location considered a 'natural' fortress?
Answer
It was a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, requiring only one side of land walls for total defense.
Emperor Justinian I, who ruled from to CE, wanted to restore Rome's former glory. Alongside his influential wife, Empress Theodora, he launched two massive projects. First, he simplified the messy, contradictory Roman laws into the Justinian Code (Corpus Juris Civilis). This code organized over laws into a clear system that forms the basis for many modern European legal systems today. Second, he built the Hagia Sophia, or the 'Church of Holy Wisdom.' Its massive dome, rising feet into the air, was an engineering marvel that symbolized the union of the empire and the Christian faith.
Before Justinian, laws were often confusing. 1. A judge might find an old law from BCE and a new law from CE that say opposite things. 2. Justinian's commission reviewed every law, deleted the repeats, and kept only the relevant ones. 3. Result: A single, unified book that ensured a citizen in Egypt and a citizen in Italy were judged by the same rules.
Quick Check
How did the Justinian Code influence the future of the world?
Answer
It preserved Roman legal principles and served as the foundation for the legal systems of many modern nations.
As the centuries passed, the Christians in the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople) began to disagree. In the West, the Pope claimed authority over all Christians. In the East, the Patriarch led the church, but the Byzantine Emperor held the ultimate power. They also argued over icons (religious images); some Byzantines believed praying to icons was idol worship. These tensions peaked in CE in an event called the Great Schism. The church split into two: the Roman Catholic Church in the West (Latin-speaking) and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East (Greek-speaking). This division shaped the cultural and political map of Europe for the next millennium.
Consider the power structure of a typical citizen: 1. In Rome: The Pope is the supreme head, often more powerful than local kings. 2. In Constantinople: The Emperor appoints the Patriarch. The Church is a branch of the government. 3. Language: A Catholic mass is held in Latin, while an Orthodox service is held in Greek or local languages.
Which body of water did Constantinople sit upon, connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean?
What was the primary goal of the Justinian Code?
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Emperor had authority over the Patriarch.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to sketch a simple map of Constantinople's location and list the three main reasons it was so difficult to conquer.
Practice Activity
Research the Hagia Sophia today. How has its use changed from a church to a mosque, then a museum, and back to a mosque?