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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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