7th grade social studies question

Question

Question: Give two reasons why the Eastern Roman Empire survived while the west fell to Germanic tribes.

Answer 1

(1)

 

Note that the Germanic invaders proceeded from central Europe south into Italy.  So by geographical proximity, the Western Empire based in Rome was more vulnerable to Germanic invaders than the Eastern Empire based in Constantinople (Byzantium).  

 

(2)

 

There may be several other reasons.  Perhaps the eastern Empire was governed better and less subject to endless civil war and overthrow of emperors?  Perhaps Emperor Justinian's military campaigns dramatically slowed any advances to the east?  The Eastern Empire stood for about 1000 years after the fall of the Western Empire.  It was eventually overrun by the Turks.