The division of the Roman Empire
I can explain what happened to the Roman Empire when it was split in two.
The division of the Roman Empire
I can explain what happened to the Roman Empire when it was split in two.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Emperor Diocletian thought that the Roman Empire had too many problems and that it should be split in two.
- Emperor Constantine fought to reunite the empire; he created a new capital called Constantinople in 330 CE.
- The reunited Roman Empire was only temporary and it separated permanently in 395 CE.
- The Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE; the Eastern Roman Empire became the Byzantine Empire.
- The Byzantine Empire was still thought of as Roman but over time the culture and traditions changed.
Keywords
Legacy - a legacy is something from the past that affected history and left a lasting impact on the world
Constantinople - Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire
Temporary - temporary means something that will disappear over time
Byzantine Empire - the Byzantine Empire is the name given by historians to the eastern half of the Roman Empire
Permanent - when something lasts a long time or forever, it is permanent
Common misconception
People in Byzantine times never called themselves Byzantium.
People in Byzantine times always called themselves Roman.
To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: The division of the Roman Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: The division of the Roman Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Romans: what did it mean to be a Roman? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
king
dictator
emperor
leaders are elected by the people living in the country
a large area ruled by an emperor
a country ruled by a king or queen
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Constantinople
Rome
Constantinople