Byzantine Empire: Key Concepts and Influences

The video reviews the Byzantine Empire, focusing on its geographic significance, leadership under Justinian, religious practices leading to the Great Schism, cultural contributions, and influence on Russia. It highlights Constantinople's strategic location for trade, Justinian's legal reforms, the split between Eastern and Western Christianity, and the preservation of Greco-Roman culture. The Byzantine Empire's impact on Russia through trade and religion is also discussed.

What was a key geographic advantage of Constantinople?

• It had access to multiple trade routes, including the Silk Road.

• It was located in the middle of the desert.

• It was isolated from all other civilizations.

• It was surrounded by mountains on all sides.

What was one of Justinian the Great's main goals for the Byzantine Empire?

• To abolish all Roman laws.

• To isolate the empire from the rest of the world.

• To establish a new religion.

• To regain land lost by Rome to invaders.

How did the Byzantine Empire differ in religious practice from the Western Church?

• The Byzantine Church was led by the Pope.

• The Byzantine Church did not use icons.

• The Byzantine Church allowed priests to marry.

• The Byzantine Church used Latin exclusively.

What was the main cause of the Great Schism in 1050?

• A disagreement over the use of icons.

• A disagreement over leadership between the Pope and the Emperor.

• A disagreement over the language of the Bible.

• A disagreement over the location of the church headquarters.

Which architectural feature is a hallmark of Byzantine influence?

• Domes

• Obelisks

• Ziggurats

• Pyramids

What was the purpose of the University of Constantinople?

• To develop new agricultural techniques.

• To explore new territories.

• To copy and preserve Greco-Roman texts.

• To train military leaders.

What was a significant cultural contribution of the Byzantine Empire?

• The preservation of Greco-Roman texts.

• The development of Gothic architecture.

• The invention of the printing press.

• The creation of the first democracy.

How did the Byzantine Empire influence the city-state of Kiev?

• By isolating it from trade routes.

• By conquering it and making it a part of the empire.

• By introducing the Cyrillic alphabet.

• By converting it to Islam.

What role did St. Cyril play in the spread of Christianity to Russia?

• He created the Cyrillic alphabet to aid in religious conversion.

• He built churches throughout Russia.

• He led a military campaign to convert the Russians.

• He translated the Bible into Russian.

Which of the following was a result of the Byzantine Empire's trade connections?

• The fall of Constantinople.

• The spread of Eastern Orthodox Christianity to Russia.

• The decline of the Silk Road.

• The isolation of the empire from other cultures.