Document 1: the creation of the Byzantine Empire As Rome was falling, Emperor Diocletian (244-311 A. D.) divided the Empire into two parts -- East and West. Emperor Constantine then moved the capitol of the Empire from Rome (which was in the slowly falling West) to the Byzantine area (renamed Constantinople) in the wealthy East. From this "new Rome" roads spread from the Balkans to the Middle East and North Africa. When the Western Empire fell to Barbarian invasions, the East stayed strong and became the new “Byzantine Empire.” This new empire would both help preserve the history and traditions of Rome and create a new culture of its own.
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What were the historical circumstances of the start of the Byzantine Empire?
During the fall of Rome an Emperor, Diocletian, divided the Empire into two parts, East and West. Additionally “Constantine moved the capitol of the Empire from Rome.”
Why do you think the Byzantine Empire changed its name from the Roman Empire? He changed the name because Rome was already falling.
To emphasize its distinction from the former Latin-speaking Roman Empire in Rome.
3) Why will the Byzantine Empire be important for world history? Because of the culture and the religion.
Task: Read the documents. Underneath each one, write down:
1) Describe the document
2) Does this document show the Byzantine Empire keeping the traditions of
Rome or starting a new culture? Explain.
Document 2: Buildings
Emperor Constantine both borrowed from Roman architecture and made Byzantine Architecture even greater. He copied Rome’s stadium, the Coliseum when he made the sporting stadium, The Hippodrome for Byzantine. However, he also wanted to make Byzantine grander, and started construction on the Catholic Church building, The Hagia Sophia (which translates to “Great Wisdom of God”). The Hagia Sophia almost totally changed the history of architecture with its grandness – including its dome, stain glass mosaics, columns and towers. These designs became copied by many future societies.
1) Describe the document
The document refers to the differences between Roman and Byzantine architecture.
2) Does this document show the Byzantine Empire keeping the traditions of Rome or starting a new culture? Explain.
As I read, the Byzantine was making its own religion because on my point of view the new Catholic Church “the Hagia Sophia” changed everything.
Document #3: The Great Schism
One of the results of the new Byzantine Empire was a religious split in the Roman Catholic Christian Church that had been organized by Constantine. After the Roman Empire broke up into two pieces it was difficult for the Roman Catholic Church (which was located in Rome) to maintain unity over all of Christendom (all of the Christian people). For a time they tried to stay organized in one structure but the churches in the Byzantine Empire started to argue with the churches in Europe. The Byzantine Emperor believed he was more powerful than the Pope (leader of the Catholic Church) but the Pope believed he was God’s main representative on earth, therefore the Pope had greater power than an Emperor. They also disagreed on which holidays were most important (the West liked Christmas but the East liked Easter), the use of religious icons (symbols and statues), and other religious ceremonial issues. In 1054, the Byzantine Empire formally split with the Catholic Church and created a new sect (branch/division)

Christianity – Eastern Orthodox Christianity. This was known as the Great Schism (split). Eastern Orthodox spread to Russia (which the Byzantine Empire interacted and traded with since they were next to each other). Today many Russians are Eastern Orthodox Christian because of what happened in 1054.
1) Describe the document. The document tells us how the Roman Empire started changing.
2) Does this document show the Byzantine Empire keeping the traditions of Rome or starting a new culture? Explain. Ye, the document tells us how the Byzantine empire split from the Roman empire putting people in doubt as to which holidays they should celebrate and it also divided Christianity from the Catholic Church.