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Constantine finds the new capital of his empire. He named it Constantinople. It connected the Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa.
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After he was crowned, Justinian was determined to revive Rome. He built the strongest military force in the world. He also created a new set of laws called the Body of Civil Law. So basically because of him the Empire reached its peak.
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He led the Byzantine army to conquer North Africa, Italy, and the southern Iberian Peninsula. Because of his conquests he was able to make the Empire even stronger. But over time these lands would slowly be lost.
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Justinian order that church of Hagia Sophia be rebuilt. By improving on Roman architecture they created a immense, arching dome. It made Constantinople grander than ever.
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Arab had started to gain control of the Mediterranean world. Though Constantinople was able to withstand the attacks. But the empire was weakened.
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The emperor souugt to restore the territories lost long ago. So he ivaded and conquered their long time enemy Bulgaria. Under his rule the empire greatly expanded.
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The Eastern and Western Christian religions seperated. They became the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. After that they saw themselves as rivals rather than followers of god.
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The Muslims started to invade the Byzantine empire. So Emperor Alexios sent diplomats to Pope Urban II for help. So the First Crusade was started in order to stop their advance.
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Merchants were able to persuade the Crusaders to invade Constantinople. Much of the city was destroyed and was taken over by the Roman Catholic church. Though the Byzantine empire was able to reclaim the city eventually, they never fully recoverd.
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Mehmet II and the Ottoman empire surrounded the city of Constantinople. They were able to break through the city's defences and the city's emperor was killed. Thus the Byzantine empire was destroyed forever.
