SOCIAL STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL:
10TH GRADE
IMPERIALISM
Constantinople
Conquest
Byzantine Empire
CONSTANTINOPLE
Founded as the new capital of the Roman Empire,
Constantinople (now Istanbul) became the heart of
the Byzantine Empire before falling to the Ottomans.
Constantine XI
Palaeologus
First Roman emperor to profess Christianity
Began transforming the Roman Empire into a Christian state, laying
the foundation for Byzantine and Western medieval culture.
Conversion to Christianity
Originally worshipped the Sun god .
Converted before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312
Credited victories and rise to power to the Christian God.
Rise to power
Grew up in the imperial court; bypassed in succession in 305 after
Diocletian and Maximian abdicated.
Won multiple civil wars
Became sole ruler of both Eastern and Western Roman Empire.
Beginings
Constantine the Great became the sole ruler of
the Roman Empire and chose to create a new
capital.
The chosen site was the small town of
Byzantium, renamed Constantinople.
Constantine expanded Byzantium, dividing it
into 14 sections and building a new land wall.
To attract residents, he offered free food rations.
Wealthy aristocrats were enticed with lucrative
court and Senate positions to help govern the
growing city.
Beginings
Constantine brought monuments and statues
from across the empire and commissioned new
works to decorate the city.
In 330 CE, Constantinople became the capital of
the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.
Rome remained the capital of the Western
Roman Empire, which fell in 476 CE due to
German invasions.
Strategic Economic
01 Importance Factors 02
The city’s location at the junction of major
continental roads and eastern commercial
routes enhanced its economic importance. The
straits were also economically important.
03
Constantinople Became the Center of
the Eastern Roman Empire
Constantinople Walls
Sea Walls
Early Beginnings Built along the coastline to block attacks from the sea.
The city of Byzantium started as a Greek colony in the The Golden Horn was protected by a giant chain stretched
7th century BC. across the water.
It was already well-fortified before becoming the In 1204, Crusaders broke through these walls and
capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, later called captured the city.
Constantinople.
Repairs and Upgrades
Constantine’s Wall (4th century) The walls were damaged many times by earthquakes and
Emperor Constantine built the first large wall to floods but were always repaired quickly.
protect his new capital, inspired by Rome’s own New sections were added over time, especially near the
defenses. imperial palace and the seashore.
Theodosian Walls (5th century) Fall of Constantinople (1453)
As the city grew, Emperor Theodosius II built an even Despite their strength, the walls couldn’t stop the
bigger and stronger double wall, which became the powerful cannons of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II.
main defense for centuries. The fall marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and, for
many historians, the end of the Middle Ages.
Life In Constantinople
once you entered the city the city you would discover
a shocking juxtaposition of wealth and poverty to be
seen everywhere, even in the most desirable of
neighborhoods. The rich and poor lived right next to
one another.
Most private homes in Constantinople were
courtyard homes. There would be communal big
dome ovens in them for cooking - especially the
making of bread. These ovens required wood which
was delivered directly to homes and building by
commercial companies.
Military
Strenght
Fortifications: Constantinople’s main defense was the Theodosian Walls
(built in the 5th century), a triple line of walls with 192 towers. By the 15th
century, they stretched 4 miles, up to 40 feet high and 16 feet thick, with a
moat. Sea walls and a giant chain across the Golden Horn protected against
naval attacks.
Military Organization: The Byzantine army evolved from the Roman
legions, using the theme system—dividing land into military districts led by
generals with both civil and military power. Soldiers included professionals
and peasants given land for service.
Sieges: The city survived many attacks by Persians, Arabs, Bulgars, and
Russians for centuries due to its strong defenses and location. It was taken
by Crusaders in 1204 and finally fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 when
cannons broke through the walls.
