Byzantine Empire

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/byzantine-empire

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is Byzantine Empire known for?Hagia Sophia, renowned for its massive dome and innovative construction
2. What is the imperial capital?Constantinople (founded 330 AD, modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)
3. What is the period of existence?Circa 330 AD – 1453 AD (over 1,100 years)
4. What was the Byzantine Empire and how long did it last?The Byzantine Empire was the eastern part of the Roman Empire that kept Roman traditions alive while adding its own Greek culture. It began when Emperor Constantine dedicated Constantinople in 330 AD and lasted for more than a thousand years.
5. Why was Constantinople called the "Queen of Cities"?Constantinople earned this nickname because of its powerful triple walls, called the Theodosian Walls, which protected the city from many sieges for centuries.

Hellenistic Synthesis: The blending of Greek culture and philosophy with Roman imperial traditions and Eastern influences.
Orthodox Christianity: The dominant form of Christianity in the Byzantine Empire, characterized by distinct theological and liturgical practices.
Iconoclasm: A historical movement within the Byzantine Church that rejected the use of religious images (icons).
Theodosian Walls: An extensive system of defensive walls surrounding Constantinople, considered one of the greatest military engineering feats of antiquity.