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Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was the beginning of the new Rome. It was rebuilt and named after Emperor Constantine.
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Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire from 527-565. Justinian wanted to restore Romans glory. Justinian decide to expand the empire. He set up a commision to collect, revise, and organize acient Rome's laws. He rebuilt the church of Hagia Sophia after riots and a devastating fire that swept Constantinople.
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Balisarius was know as one of the last important figures in the Roman military. He led Roman armies against the Persians, North Africa, Italy, and the barbarian tribes that uproared in Constantinople.
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The Hagia Sophia was an important monument to Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Hagia Sophia literally means holy wisdom. Justinian rebuilt the Hagia Sophia after riots and devastating fires swept Constantinople.
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The Persian and the Byzantine empires fought for decades that they were military and economically exhausted from fighting one another. The Arab armies slowly, but surely gained control of most of the Mediterranean world. Constantinople itself stood their ground against the attacks.The Byzantines were able to also hold on to Balkans and Asia Minor.
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Basil was an Emperor from the Macedonian Dynasty. His regin was overtaken by civil wars against powerful generals from the Anatolian aristocracy. Basil's nickname is known by later authors as the Bulgar-Slayer. Basil dominated the Empire's administrator and military during the time he was filling the Empire's treasury.
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The Byzantine empire was in decline. The Byzantines struggled over succesion, court intrigues, and constant wars underminded its strength. Powerful local lords took over large areas in Western Europe.
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Pope Urban II was approached by envoys that where sent by Alexios I for aid against the Muslims who were trying to invade the Byzantine empire. Pope Urabn II launched the first crusade to check on the Muslims and regain control of Jerusalem and the holy land.
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Venetian merchants had knights attack Constantinople on the Fourth Crusade. Crusaders burned and destroyed the city for three days. For 57 years, western christians ruled Constantinople. In 1260, a Byzantine emperor regained the capital. Unfortunatly Venetian merchants had taken over Byzantine trade, draining the wealth of the empire.
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In 1453 Constantinople fell and the empire was taken over by the Ottman empire. The Byzantine Empire had ended.
