What was occurring in 4th century CE?
The Roman empire was so large it had several provincial capitals.
What were the two most important political centers?
Rome (west) and Constantinople (east) (formerly called Byzantine).
Who rebuilt Byzantine to resemble Old Rome?
Emperor Constantine the Great rebuilt it. The new center was known as New Rome.
What did the people living in Constantinople refer to themselves to?
They called themselves Romans. Historians called them Byzantines.
What happened in 11th century CE?
Cultural differences and powerful disagreements over which political center had authority split between east and west.
What happened at the end of the 4th century CE?
The Roman empire permanently split between east and west.
What happened with the Byzantine Empire in the East?
It thrived.
What happened with the west?
It had invasions, a declining economy, and poor leadership.
What happened in 476 CE?
The last west Roman emperor, Romulus Augustus, was overthrown by Odovacar, a Germanic prince.
After the fall of Rome, who claimed former Roman lands?
Germanic kingdoms
What fell into disrepair?
Roads and other public structures fell into disrepair.
What declined in the West?
Trade and commerce in the West declined.
Without powerful Western Rome, what became unifying and a powerful force?
The catholic church.
What was the Byzantine Empire very successful at keeping?
A powerful army that traveled long distances.
