francesco byzantine empire.ppt

Francesco Scudellari - Comenius Assistant 2010/11

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UNIT. 1THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE


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Second and third century: Crisis of the Roman Empire

Because:

1) It was difficult to defend the borders ofthe empire from the barbarians

2) It was difficult to trade due to lack ofsecurity

3) Ruralisation : People left the cities andwent to the country , in search of securityand provisions .


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5To facilitate the defense of the empire, theemperor Theodosious in the year 395 dividedthe Roman Empire into two:

WESTERNROMAN EMPIRE

EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE

Capital: Capital:

Rome Costantinople


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But the Western Empire was soon invaded by theGermanic (barbarians coming from the North)

Some names of barbarian populations: Sueves, Vandals, Visigoths, Huns…… .


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The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Soon, the barbarians occupied most of theWestern Empire.

The Western Empire became divided intoseveral kingdoms: the Ostrogoth Kingdom, the Visigoth Kingdom, the Vandal Kingdom…


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The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

It became impossible for the Romans tocontrol the situation.

The last Roman Emperor , RomulusAugustus, abdicated under pressure of thebarbarian king Odoacer.

The Western Roman Empire finally fell in the year….

The answer is….

The Western Roman Empire fell in the year 476


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The Eastern Roman (or Byzantine)

EmpireWhile the Western Empire fell, the Eastern

Roman Empire withstood (=resistir) thebarbarian invasion.

The Eastern Roman Empire changed itsname into Byzantine Empire.

The Byzantine Empire lasted until the …. centuryThe answer is….

The Byzantine Empire lasted until the fifteenth century

(precisely, until the year 1453145314531453))))


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The Byzantine Empire

The period of greatersplendour for the ByzantineEmpire was under the reign of theEmperorJustinian

500 700 900 1100 1300 1500

• 476. Endof theWestenRomanEmpire • 527

Justinian

• 1453

Fall ofConstantinople

• 1054

Schism

Splendour Decline


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The Empire achieved itsgreatest extension

The Empire dominated trade inthe Mediterranean Sea

The Justinian Code modernised the Roman law

Costantinople was embellished with the construction of St. Sophia’s Church

• During Justinian ’s reign (527-565)


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The Italian city of Ravenna is situatedin the North of Italy .

Ravenna was a very important city during the reign of Justinian

During the reign of Justinian, Ravenna lived a period of great splendour .

• The city of Ravenna

Ravenna had a very strategic position: it was surrounded by swamps(=marismas) and by the sea

Many palaces and churches were built in Ravenna. They wereoften decorated with mosaics


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Many of these palaces and churches still exist.I know them rather well because Ravenna is my hometown !

But greatly decorated with mosaics inside!

• The city of Ravenna

They are all very sober outside…


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I like them very much. Some of them are spectacular and very colorful :• The mosaics of Ravenna


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This is the beautiful St. Vitale’s Church in Ravenna :

Outside:

And inside:


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I hope you will visit my city someday!

THE END

francesco byzantine empire.ppt

Education

western empire

eastern roman empire

borders ofthe empire

western roman empiresoon

roman empirebecause

roman emperor

byzantine empirewhile

reign of justinianravenna