Question

tour the city of constantinople! destination #1: the bosporus key concepts you will learn about at this stop: economy - how a civilization makes money by the buying and selling of goods and services. geography - physical environment and how it may influence an economy and culture. the economic hub between asia and europe at the heart of the byzantine empire is the bosporus strait, the waterway byzantine emperors controlled as part of the massive trade route bridging the silk road from europe to asia. its the only way between the black and mediterranean seas, and has caused many conflicts throughout history. the economy of the byzantine empire thrived on trade conducted right outside and within its capital city, constantinople. many historians believe that the byzantine empire holds the title of the richest empire known in human history. each trader, by land and via the waterway known as the bosporus, were taxed 10% in gold or goods. traders came east from the roman empire and northern africa, north from the middle east, china, and india, and even vikings and russians came south down major rivers. these traders brought a plethora of products, including fish, meat, vegetables, other alimentary products, timber, wax, ceramics, linen, woven cloth, silks, perfumes, oil, wine, salt, and spices. merchants from rome, the capital of the western roman empire early in its history, marveled at the wealth of constantinople. traders conversed in many languages, but greek remained the eastern roman empires designated speech. “in obedience to the command of god, he...enlarged the city constantinople and surrounded it with high walls; likewise he built splendid dwelling houses; and he populated it with men of rank and their families, whom he summoned from rome and from other countries. he imposed taxes to cover the expenses of building and adorning the city, and of supplying the inhabitants with food. he erected all the needed edifices for a great capital - a hippodrome, fountains, porticoes and other beautiful adornments. he named it constantinople and established it as the roman capital.” -roman writer sozomen questions to consider! 1. define the meaning of the word plethora in the following sentence: “these traders brought a plethora of products, including fish, meat, vegetables, other alimentary products.” 2. how did control of the bosporus strait contribute to the wealth of the byzantine empire?

Explanation:

1. For the first question, we look at the context where traders brought various products. "Plethora" means a large or excessive amount. In this context, it emphasizes the abundance of products the traders brought.
2. For the second question, the Bosporus strait was a crucial water - way as it was part of a massive trade route bridging Europe and Asia, the only way between the Black and Mediterranean seas. Traders using this route were taxed 10% in gold or goods, which directly contributed to the wealth of the Byzantine Empire through trade - related revenues.

Answer:

1. A large or excessive amount.
2. It was part of a major trade route and traders using it were taxed, generating significant trade - related revenues for the empire.