Medieval Greek

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/medieval-greek

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 the period of use?Approximately 5th-6th centuries AD to 1453 AD
2. What is the geographical center?Byzantine Empire, with its capital at Constantinople
3. What was Medieval Greek and why was it called Byzantine Greek?Medieval Greek, also known as Middle Greek or Byzantine Greek, was the form of Greek spoken and written during the time of the Byzantine Empire, which lasted from about the 7th century until 1453. It is called Byzantine Greek because it was used in the capital city of Constantinople and throughout the Eastern Roman Empire.
4. Why did Greek become the official language of the Byzantine Empire?Greek became the official language of the Byzantine Empire because by the 7th century it was already the main language used for government, law, and everyday life. Using one language helped people from many different regions understand each other and keep the empire together.

Attic Greek: The dialect of ancient Athens, considered a prestigious model for classical Greek literature.
Byzantine Studies: An interdisciplinary field focused on the history, culture, religion, and language of the Byzantine Empire.
Hellenistic Period: The era following Alexander the Great's conquests, characterized by the widespread diffusion of Greek language and culture.
Vernacular: The everyday spoken language of a particular region or country, as opposed to a formal or literary language.