Rise of Constantinople: The New Rome

Ch. 6 The BYZANTINE Empire Section 1: Byzantium becomes the New Rome Constantine I • TODAY’S OBJECTIVES: • Explain the rise of Constantinople as the “new Rome.” • Describe Byzantine politics and the rise of Emperor Justinian. • Describe Justinian’s achievements and major events in Constantinople • during and immediately after his reign.

Students recall: Emperor Constantine moved the capital out of Rome and to the eastern capital of Byzantium, a city he renamed for himself – Constantinople. The eastern half of the old Roman empire would now become the Byzantine Empire. In what year did the Western Roman empire finally collapse due to the invasions by Germanic tribes? 476 A.D. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. • Constantinople PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire • What did Justinian accomplish during his reign? • Conquered new lands and retook former Roman lands so that • his new Byzantine empire almost as big as Rome’s had been. Belisariuswas Emperor Justinian’s head general and one of the greatest military commanders of his time. He spearheaded Byzantium's attempts to rebuild the Roman Empire, retaking North Africa from the Vandals. His very successes, however, made him many enemies. Incriminated in a plot against Justinian, his eyes were put out on the Emperor's orders in 561 A.D. According to a historian named Procopius, Belisarius was stripped of all his possessions and was reduced to begging in the streets of Byzantium. Justinian I Ruled 527-565 A.D. Belisarius “Belisarius,” by Jacques-Louis David, French Neoclassical painting, 1781. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

BYZANTINE WEALTH From Trade What can you infer about Constantinople’s location that made it a strategic location to benefit from Trade? PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

BYZANTINE WEALTH From Trade Very typical Byzantine Art: Church adornments & Religious icons Left: Icon depicting“Presentation of Christ in the Temple,” Byzantine woodpainted, with gold-leaf background. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire • What did Justinian accomplish during his reign? • Conquered new lands and retook former Roman lands so that • his new Byzantine empire almost as big as Rome’s had been. • Established center of trade, this brought economic prosperity. • His legal experts complete large body of civil laws – called • “Justinian’s Code” Justinian I Ruled 527-565 A.D. • Justinian appointed a commission in 528 A.D., consisting of • ten persons, to make a new collection of imperial constitutions. • The result was to gather together all Roman law into one code, • known as the Justinian Code. • The Justinian Code was divided into four parts: • The Institutes served as a textbook in law for students and lawyers. • The Digest was a casebook covering many trials and decisions. • The Codex was a collection of statutes and principles, and • The Novels contained new proposed laws. • This legal code became the foundation of law in most western European countries. • It was a compilation of early Roman laws and legal principles, illustrated by cases, and • combined with an explanation of new laws and future legislation to be put into effect. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire • What did Justinian accomplish during his reign? • Conquered new lands and retook former Roman lands so that • his new Byzantine empire almost as big as Rome’s had been. • Established center of trade, this brought economic prosperity. • His legal experts complete large body of civil laws – called • “Justinian’s Code” • Marriage to Theodora Justinian I Ruled 527-565 A.D. History Makers: “Theodora” Packet, p. 2 Theodora Born 500 A.D. Married Justininian 525 A.D. Died 548 A.D. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading about a History Maker, “Theodora” Packet, p. 2 Textbook, p. “Empress Theodora and her attendants” From a collection of mosaics in the presbytery of the Church of San Vitale, Ravenna Italy, ca.547 A.D.

Reading about a History Maker, “Theodora” Packet, p. 2 Textbook, p. Theodora was the daughter of a bearkeeper at the Hippodrome. Hardly the kind of background one would expect of a future Empress. Her former profession as an actress was also a mark against her. Needless to say Justinian’s marriage to her created quite a scandal. The center median of the former Hippodrome racetrack in Constantinople is today a city park in modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading about a History Maker, “Theodora” Packet, p. 2 Textbook, p. The Hippodrome was the center of Byzantine social life much like our sports arenas are today. Huge amounts were bet on chariot races, and the whole city was divided between fans of the Blue and Green chariot racing teams. The rivalry between Blues and Greens sometimes became mingled with political squabbles, and riots the size of civil wars would erupt in the city. The most severe of these was in 532. The center median of the former Hippodrome racetrack in Constantinople is today a city park in modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading about a History Maker, “Theodora” Packet, p. 2 Textbook, p. These riots in 532 A.D. were called the Nika Riots ("Nika"= "Victory!"), and grew from political unrest over the government's new tax measures. Rival gangs of Blues and Greens (admirers of rival chariot-racing teams) fought in the streets. Justinian wanted to leave the city during the riots, but two of his generals (Belisarius and Narses) and his wife Theodora, persuaded him to stay. Theodora took it upon herself to raise a personal army, an army that eventually killed 35,000 people in a single day. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading about a History Maker, “Theodora” Packet, p. 2 Textbook, p. “Empress Theodora and her attendants” From a collection of mosaics in the presbytery of the Church of San Vitale, Ravenna Italy, ca.547 A.D.

CH 11, Sec. 1: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire • What did Justinian accomplish during his reign? • Conquered new lands and retook former Roman lands so that • his new Byzantine empire almost as big as Rome’s had been. • Established center of trade, this brought economic prosperity. • His legal experts complete large body of civil laws – called • “Justinian’s Code” • Marriage to Theodora Justinian I Ruled 527-565 A.D. Theodora Born 500 A.D. Married Justinian 525 A.D. Died 548 A.D. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading about a History Maker, “Theodora” Packet, p. 2 Textbook, p. Theodora and Justinian preside over the dedication of the magnificent church Hagia Sophia (Church of “Holy Wisdom”) PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading about this great feat of architecture, “Hagia Sophia”Textbook, p. The dome of the Hagia Sofia must haveve been an impressive sight to maritime merchants arriving at Constantinople. Hagia Sophiais the mother of all Eastern Orthodox Christian churches built in the Byzantine tradition and style. Early accounts suggest that this site had been the site of a pagan temple and was replaced with a church by the Eastern Roman Emperor Constantius, son of Emperor Constantine who had liberated the Christian faith from centuries of persecution. Constantius' church was dedicated in 360 AD. and was known as the Great Church because it was the largest at the time. It was later destroyed in mob riots. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading about this great feat of architecture, “Hagia Sophia”Textbook, p. Following the destruction caused by the Nika rebellion, Justinian began a public works program, and the construction of a basilica such as had never been seen before. The construction work lasted from 532 to 537; the new church was dedicated December 27, 537. Architecturally the grand basilica represented a major revolution in church building in that it featured a huge dome which necessitated the use of new ideas in order to support the weight of this dome, a feat which had not been attempted before. The dome would become characteristic of the “Romanesque” architectural style in Byzantine church construction and represented the vault of heaven. Hagia Sophia (Church of “Holy Wisdom”) PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading about this great feat of architecture, “Hagia Sophia”Textbook, p. 1,000 years after it’s construction in 537, Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453… and Hagia Sophia became a mosque…

Reading about this great feat of architecture, “Hagia Sophia”Textbook, p. 1,000 years after it’s construction in 537, Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453… and Hagia Sophia became a mosque… …but the original Christian mosaics continue to adorn the interior. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire • What did Justinian accomplish during his reign? • Conquered new lands and retook former Roman lands so that • his new Byzantine empire almost as big as Rome’s had been. • Established center of trade, this brought economic prosperity. • His legal experts complete large body of civil laws – called • “Justinian’s Code” • Marriage to Theodora Justinian I Ruled 527-565 A.D. 537 – Justinian completes building the Hagia Sophia Rebuilt Constantinople and the great church Hagia Sophia Theodora and Justinian preside over the dedication of the magnificent church Hagia Sophia (Church of “Holy Wisdom”) PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Reading a Primary Source, Procopius’ Secret History Packet, p. 3 Recognizing POINT OF VIEW in the telling of History………. Today the world remembers Justinian as a powerful ruler, a great builder, conqueror, teacher and lawgiver. But this is only because "history is written by the winners," and Justinian was a winner. The most important and respected source historian for this period was Procopius of Caesarea. Procopius accompanied Belisarius on some of his great conquests, wrote the emperor’s official histories of the wars and of Justinian's immense building programs. He ensured that we remember Justinian as a superman. But that was not the whole truth. Procopius dared not say what was really going on. He feared for his life (and the lives of his family) if he did. So he wrote another, secret history, with strict instructions that it was not to be published until after his death. This history was so shocking, so devastating, that scholars wanted to believe it was a forgery. Yet every test that can be made on it, shows it is no forgery. According to Procopius, the emperor Justinian who ruled the eastern Roman empire in the 6th century was demonic in his cruelty – determined to whatever it took to rebuild the empire – “yet in rebuilding it, he was destroying it.” Procopius was not alone in secretly hating Justinian. The chronicler Evagrius also agreed that Justinian would go to hell.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire • What did Justinian accomplish during his reign? • Conquered new lands and retook former Roman lands so that • his new Byzantine empire almost as big as Rome’s had been. • Established center of trade, this brought economic prosperity. • His legal experts complete large body of civil laws – called • “Justinian’s Code” • Marriage to Theodora Justinian I Ruled 527-565 A.D. 537 – Justinian completes building the Hagia Sophia Rebuilt Constantinople and the great church Hagia Sophia Is it common to hear two opposing views about great men in history? Beloved Christian Emperor? Brutal Political Tyrant? Or…. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire 537 – Justinian completes building the Hagia Sophia 542 – Deadly plague sweeps through Constantinople 2. How did the plague affect Constantinople? Killed so many people it left the empire weak and vulnerable to enemies. Size of empire at the death of Justinian. Constantinople was well defended. Size of empire, 800 A.D. 565 – Death of Justinian 622 – Muhammad’s Hegira 674 – Arab armies attack Constantinople CONSTANTINOPLE’S STRONG MILITARY DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY SAVE THE DAY On two occasions, from 674 to 677, and again in 717-18, Arab armies besieged Constantinople by land and sea. Superior military organization, the city’s high walls and its strategic location, and the timely invention of one of history's most decisive weapons, a medieval form of napalm dubbed "Greek fire“ used by the Byzantine naval fleet enabled the Byzantines to weather the storm. The cost to both sides was high. By 800 A.D., Byzantium had lost most of her territory south of the Taurus Mountains and much of the remainder of the empire lay devastated. The Arabs lost untold thousands of men through futile attacks against Constantinople's defenses. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire 537 – Justinian completes building the Hagia Sophia Kingdom of the Franks 542 – Deadly plague sweeps through Constantinople 565 – Death of Justinian 622 – Muhammad’s Hegira 674 – Arab armies attack Constantinople 800 – ThePope in Rome crowns the Frankish king Charlemagne the new “Holy Roman Emperor” Meanwhile…in the West The Western region was under attack again by Muslims, Vikings, and other groups. The Pope begged for the help of the Frankish king Charlemagne. In return for his efforts, the Pope made him the new Holy Roman emperor in the West. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. NORSEMEN 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire 537 – Justinian completes building the Hagia Sophia • Kiev 542 – Deadly plague sweeps through Constantinople SLAVS 565 – Death of Justinian • Rome • Constantinople 622 – Muhammad’s Hegira 674 – Arab armies attack Constantinople 800 – The Pope in Rome crowns the Frankish king Charlemagne the new “Holy Roman Emperor” 820 – Vikings begin explorations and terrorize Europe The Vikings (or, Norsemen) settled around Kiev and intermarried with the eastern Slavs. These are the ancestors of the Rus (or, Russian people). PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. NORSEMEN 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire 537 – Justinian completes building the Hagia Sophia • Kiev 542 – Deadly plague sweeps through Constantinople SLAVS 565 – Death of Justinian • Rome • Constantinople 622 – Muhammad’s Hegira 674 – Arab armies attack Constantinople 800 – The Pope in Rome crowns the Frankish king Charlemagne the new “Holy Roman Emperor” 820 – Vikings begin explorations and terrorize Europe In the 9th c., Prince Oleg of the Kievan Rus launched a surprise attack against Constantinople – hanging his shield upon the gate of the great city. 860– Russians invade Constantinople for the first of three times. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. NORSEMEN 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire 537 – Justinian completes building the Hagia Sophia • Kiev 542 – Deadly plague sweeps through Constantinople SLAVS 565 – Death of Justinian • Rome • Constantinople 622 – Muhammad’s Hegira 674 – Arab armies attack Constantinople 800 – The Pope in Rome crowns the Frankish king Charlemagne the new “Holy Roman Emperor” 820 – Vikings begin explorations and terrorize Europe 3. How did the Byzantines prop up their shaky empire? First they used bribes, then diplomacy, then political marriages. Then reorganized their Empire’s military. 860– Russians invade Constantinople for the first of three times. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

End of Day 1 presentation. For homework, Use your textbook CH 11, Sec. 1 to finish questions #4. – 6. on p. 1 of your packet. Answer part B. as well. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “Byzantium becomes the New Rome” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. NORSEMEN 527 – Justinian becomes ruler of the eastern empire 537 – Justinian completes building the Hagia Sophia • Kiev 542 – Deadly plague sweeps through Constantinople SLAVS 565 – Death of Justinian • Rome • Constantinople 622 – Muhammad’s Hegira 674 – Arab armies attack Constantinople 800 – The Pope in Rome crowns Frankish king Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor” 820 – Vikings begin explorations and terrorize Europe 860– Russians invade Constantinople for the first of three times. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

750 – 1000 A.D. “Western Europe and Eastern Byzantine Empire both face Invaders” Vikings (Norsemen) SLAVS PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “The Christian and Muslim Worlds by 1050 A.D. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. “The Great Schism in Christianity must not be viewed as the result of only one quarrel in the Church. It is not true that after centuries of perfect peace, suddenly on account of one dispute, the Christian world fell apart. It can be said that the Crowning of Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in 800 C.E. started this bad blood between the East and the West. The great schism is rather the result of a very gradual process. Its Causes must be sought centuries before there was any suspicion of their final effect.” The Catholic Encyclopedia PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6“The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in the West is the Pope. The leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople is the Patriarch. Rome. • What factors led to the Great Schism? • * Language – the West spoke Latin; the East spoke Greek. • * Church Authority - • The East said the Bible was the final Authority on all issues of Faith • West said it was the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible that was the final Authority. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6“The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in the West is the Pope. The leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople is the Patriarch. • What factors (disagreements) led to the Great Schism in the Church? • * Language – the West spoke Latin; the East spoke Greek. • * Church Authority - East said the Bible was the final Authority on all issues • West said it was the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible. • * Divorce – Eastern Patriarch began to allow divorces. • Western Pope forbid divorce. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6“The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in the West is the Pope. The leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople is the Patriarch. • What factors (disagreements) led to the Great Schism in the Church? • * Language – the West spoke Latin; the East spoke Greek. • * Church Authority - East said the Bible was the final Authority on all issues • West said it was the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible. • * Divorce – Eastern Patriarch began to allow divorces. • Western Pope forbid divorce. • * Priests Right to Marry – Orthodox priests could marry. Catholic priests may not. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6“The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in the West is the Pope. The leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople is the Patriarch. • What factors (disagreements) led to the Great Schism in the Church? • * Language – the West spoke Latin; the East spoke Greek. • * Church Authority - East said the Bible was the final Authority on all issues • West said it was the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible. • * Divorce – Eastern Patriarch began to allow divorces. • Western Pope forbid divorce. • * Priests Right to Marry – Orthodox priests could marry. Catholic priests may not. • * the Icon Controversy PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6“The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. • What factors (disagreements) led to the Great Schism in the Church? • * Language – the West spoke Latin; the East spoke Greek. • * Church Authority - East said the Bible was the final Authority on all issues • West said it was the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible. • * Divorce – Eastern Patriarch began to allow divorces. • Western Pope forbid divorce. • * Priests Right to Marry – Orthodox priests could marry. Catholic priests may not. • * the Icon Controversy ICONOGRAPHY Useful Aids for Religious Devotion? Or…a form of Idol worship? PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. • What factors (disagreements) led to the Great Schism in the Church? • * Language – the West spoke Latin; the East spoke Greek. • * Church Authority - East said the Bible was the final Authority on all issues • West said it was the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible. • * Divorce – Eastern Patriarch began to allow divorces. • Western Pope forbid divorce. • * Priests Right to Marry – Orthodox priests could marry. Catholic priests may not. • * the Icon Controversy Icons - sacred religious images. representing saints, Christ, and the Virgin, as well as narrative scenes such as Christ's Crucifixion. While today the term is most closely associated with wooden panel painting, in Byzantium icons could be crafted in all media, including marble, ivory, gemstone, precious metal, enamel, and mosaic. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. • What factors (disagreements) led to the Great Schism in the Church? • * Language – the West spoke Latin; the East spoke Greek. • * Church Authority - East said the Bible was the final Authority on all issues • West said it was the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible. • * Divorce – Eastern Patriarch began to allow divorces. • Western Pope forbid divorce. • * Priests Right to Marry – Orthodox priests could marry. Catholic priests may not. • * the Icon Controversy Icons - sacred religious images. Iconoclasts – those who opposed the use of icons and saw the practice as idolatry. Byzantine Emperor Leo III believed the success of the Arabs was due to their imagery-hating Muslim religion, and thus tried to to ban Christian icons. Icons were not as popular in the West, but the Pope decided to side with the poor masses in the East who wanted them – hoping he could win greater authority there. The matter went on for some time until finally in 1054 the Pope in the West and the Patriarch in the East each excommunicated the other. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6: “The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. • What factors (disagreements) led to the Great Schism in the Church? • * Language – the West spoke Latin; the East spoke Greek. • * Church Authority - East said the Bible was the final Authority on all issues • West said it was the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible. • * Divorce – Eastern Patriarch began to allow divorces. • Western Pope forbid divorce. • * Priests Right to Marry – Orthodox priests could marry. Catholic priests may not. • * the Icon Controversy Icons - sacred religious images. Iconoclasts – those who opposed the use of icons and saw the practice as idolatry. Excommunication – to “kick out” of the Church / forbid one to receive the Church’s sacraments. Schism – split or division. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

CH 6 “The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. 5. What was the effect of the Schism? Christianity was permanently divided between Roman Catholic (in West) and the Orthodox Church (in East). 1204 – Crusading Christians from Europe loot and pillage Constantinople. Western – Eastern Christians Clash The richest city of the world – Constantinople- was at the mercy of the rowdy Europeans. The barbarians did horrible things that are beyond imagination. They tortured and massacred a large part of the population, destroyed churches, palaces, monasteries and even sculptures made by Phidias, stole thousands of priceless icons, relics and other holy items, raped young girls and boys. Not to mention the countless manuscripts of ancient Greek learning which were burnt by the ignorant and illiterate Francs. So much was the hatred of the Europeans for the Greek Empire! PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

THE CRUSADES A 200 year period of 9 Crusades total in which the Western European Christians attempted to retake the “Holy Land” (Jerusalem) from the Muslim Empire. The Western Christians from poor Medieval Europe… …were like silly, jealous babies in a Candy store. …to do so each time meant passing through Constantinople.

The Church of St. Mark’s in Venice… …still retains today many of the treasures that were taken from Constantinople’s churches in 1204.

CH 6: “The Christian World Divides” Packet, p. 1 Textbook, p. 1054 – Christianity splits into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. 5. What was the effect of the Schism? Christianity was permanently divided between Roman Catholic (in West) and the Orthodox Church (in East). 1204 – Crusading Christians from Europe loot and pillage Constantinople. The looting of Constantinople in 1204 by the European Christian Crusaders was an irretrievable disaster for the Byzantines. With its territory and resources shrinking, Byzantium was never again able to fully quell internal disorders or to exercise independence from outside powers. The state became so impoverished that in 1369 Emperor John V was arrested for debt in Venice as he tried to obtain financial help from the West. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Rise of Constantinople: The New Rome