The Roman Empire to 500 CE

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes about the Roman Empire and its transition into the Byzantine Empire.

Roman Empire

A major political and social entity that existed for about 500 years and included parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Diocletian

Roman Emperor who split the empire into four parts during his reign to improve governance.

Constantine

Ruler who unified the Western and Eastern Roman Empires and moved the capital to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople.

Constantinople

New capital of the Roman Empire established by Constantine, previously known as Byzantium.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern part of the Roman Empire that emerged after the death of Constantine, known for its capital Constantinople.

Christian Empire

Term used for the Byzantine Empire after Constantine declared Christianity legal, succeeding Diocletian's persecution of Christians.

Justinian I

Byzantine Emperor under whom the Byzantine Empire reached its height.