Byzantine Empire

The Church is distinguished by indescribable beauty, excelling both in its size, and in the harmony of its measures, having no part excessive and none deficient; being more magnificent than ordinary buildings, and much more elegant than those which are not of so just a proportion. The church is singularly full of light and sunshine; you would declare that the place is not lighted by the sun from without, but that the rays are produced within it, such an abundance of light is poured into this church.

Constantinople's strategic location on the Golden Horn helped safeguard the city. Water surrounded Constantinople on three sides and served as a natural protection against enemy attack. On the

Fourth side, three parallel walls were built in increasing heights. In front of the outer wall was a huge moat which was three times as deep as a swimming pool. Watchtowers were built into the middle wall. A heavy chain stretched across the water north of the city and made it difficult for enemy ships to reach the city's harbors.

Throughout the Byzantine Empire many items were traded. They tended to use the bridge system as a way of trading. For examples silk went to China, spices went to Asia, Furs went to France, Gems went to India, and Wheat went to Egypt. Much pottery and cookware was also traded throughout the Byzantine Empire. Another big purchase that many were able to make was brass buckets adorned with hunting scenes and inscribed in Greek have been found as far west as Britain.

One very important feature of the Byzantine Empire was the Hagias Sophia. The Hagias Sophia is the supreme masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. The arches at the east and west are extended and buttressed by great half domes, while the half domes in turn are carried on smaller semi domed exedra. The Hagias Sophia stands on the site of an earlier basilican church erected by Constantia's II in 360; some 30 years after Byzantium had become the capital