Christianity in the Eastern Roman Empire
I can explain why a slightly different Christian Church emerged in the East.
Christianity in the Eastern Roman Empire
I can explain why a slightly different Christian Church emerged in the East.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- After Rome's fall in 476 CE, the Byzantine Empire survived in the east, and considered themselves Romans.
- Constantinople grew strong and beautiful with impressive artworks, churches and the famous hippodrome.
- The Emperor Justinian ruled from 527 to 565 CE.
- Justinian compiled a code of law and ordered all his subjects to be Christian, and to worship in the way he told them.
- The Eastern Church believed many of the same things as in the West, but they did not recognise the pope's supremacy.
Keywords
Byzantine - the Byzantine Empire is the name given by historians to the eastern half of the Roman Empire
Hippodrome - a hippodrome is an arena for chariot or horse races
Law - laws are a set of rules that everyone agrees to follow
Worship - to worship is to show love and respect to a god
Pope - the pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church
Common misconception
The Byzantines weren’t Roman.
The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was a continuation of the Roman Empire. The term "Byzantine" is a modern designation used by historians, but the people of that time considered themselves Romans.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
ultimate power and authority
a belief in a god or gods
to change to a different religion
a religious leader in some Christian churches
Exit quiz
6 Questions
for Christian worship, such as Hagia Sophia
for chariot races and public events
to adorn the city and show religious scenes