Ancient Rome and Byzantium: the Birth of the Byzantine Empire

Ancient Rome and Byzantium: The Birth of the Byzantine Empire

Ancient Rome and Byzantium: The Birth of the Byzantine Empire by ReadWorks

In 330 A.D., the Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome. He chose Byzantium, a city far east of Rome, as his new capital. He renamed the city Constantinople.

In 476 A.D., the city of Rome was conquered. The western part of the Roman Empire was defeated. After that, only the eastern part of the empire was left. This was centered in Constantinople and became known as the Byzantine Empire.

Latin and Greek were the two most important languages of the Byzantine Empire. Greek was spoken in daily life. Latin was used for religious ceremonies and government work.

The Byzantine Empire's rulers made it a Christian empire. Christianity became the core of Byzantine life. Constantinople became the center of the Christian world.

In 1453 A.D., the Byzantine Empire fell to the Turks. Today, Constantinople is called Istanbul, and it is the largest city in Turkey.

Name: ______Date: ______1. According to the text, which of the following was an important language in the Byzantine Empire?

A. Italian B. Greek C. Turkish D. English

2. What was the effect of the western part of the Roman Empire being defeated?

A. Emperor Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium. B. Emperor Constantine renamed the city of Byzantium to Constantinople. C. The eastern part of the Roman Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire. D. The Byzantine Empire fell to the Turks, and Constantinople became Istanbul.

3. Read this sentence from the text.

Today, Constantinople is called Istanbul, and it is the largest city in Turkey.

What can you conclude about Constantinople based on this information?

A. Constantinople was renamed Istanbul before the Turks invaded. B. The land that was once Constantinople is located in what is now the country of Turkey. C. The Turks took over Constantinople by knocking down the buildings there. D. Constantine made a deal with the Turks to give them Constantinople.

4. Based on the text, why did Constantine most likely move the capital city far east of Rome?

A. Constantinople may have been a safer location with fewer threats from enemies. B. Constantine may have always wanted to live further east. C. Constantinople was closer to the enemies of the Roman Empire. D. Constantinople was a better location to defeat the Turks.

5. What is this text mostly about?

A. the current government in Turkey B. the birth of an important leader C. wars between the Roman and Byzantine empires D. the Byzantine Empire and what it was like

6. Read these sentences from the text.

In 1453 A.D., the Byzantine Empire fell to the Turks. Today, Constantinople is called Istanbul, and it is the largest city in Turkey.

As used in these sentences, what do the words "fell to" most nearly mean?

A. dropped from B. defeated by C. took over from D. made peace with

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

Constantinople became the capital of the Roman Empire ______Constantine moved it there from Rome.

A. therefore B. later C. after D. although

8. According to the text, how were the two important languages of the Byzantine Empire used differently?

9. What language did people in the Byzantine Empire likely speak in their homes? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.