Q.1 Who was the first emperor of the Byzantine Empire?
Constantine I
Justinian I
Theodosius I
Heraclius
Explanation - Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, is considered the first Byzantine emperor as he established Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire in 330 CE.
Correct answer is: Constantine I
Q.2 What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
Rome
Constantinople
Athens
Alexandria
Explanation - Constantinople, founded by Constantine I, became the capital of the Byzantine Empire and a major center of trade, culture, and politics.
Correct answer is: Constantinople
Q.3 Which famous church was built by Emperor Justinian I in Constantinople?
Hagia Sophia
St. Peter’s Basilica
Pantheon
San Vitale
Explanation - The Hagia Sophia, completed in 537 CE, was one of Justinian I’s greatest architectural achievements and became a symbol of Byzantine art and architecture.
Correct answer is: Hagia Sophia
Q.4 What language eventually replaced Latin as the official language of the Byzantine Empire?
Greek
Arabic
Turkish
Aramaic
Explanation - Although the early Byzantine Empire used Latin, Greek gradually became the dominant language of administration, culture, and religion.
Correct answer is: Greek
Q.5 Who was Justinian I’s wife and influential empress?
Theodora
Helena
Irene
Sophia
Explanation - Empress Theodora, the wife of Justinian I, was a powerful co-ruler known for her intelligence, political influence, and support of women’s rights.
Correct answer is: Theodora
Q.6 What was the Nika Revolt of 532 CE?
A tax protest
A sports riot
A religious schism
A military mutiny
Explanation - The Nika Revolt began as a riot among chariot racing fans in Constantinople and escalated into a major rebellion against Justinian I, which was brutally suppressed.
Correct answer is: A sports riot
Q.7 Which code of laws was issued under Justinian I?
The Twelve Tables
Corpus Juris Civilis
Code of Hammurabi
Lex Romana
Explanation - Justinian’s Corpus Juris Civilis, or Body of Civil Law, systematized Roman law and influenced European legal traditions for centuries.
Correct answer is: Corpus Juris Civilis
Q.8 The Byzantine Empire preserved the knowledge of which ancient civilization most significantly?
Chinese
Greek
Mayan
Persian
Explanation - The Byzantine Empire preserved Greek philosophy, science, and literature, which later influenced the Renaissance in Western Europe.
Correct answer is: Greek
Q.9 Which emperor temporarily restored icon veneration after the first phase of Iconoclasm?
Leo III
Constantine V
Irene
Basil II
Explanation - Empress Irene restored the veneration of icons at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 CE after a period of iconoclasm.
Correct answer is: Irene
Q.10 What major threat did the Byzantine Empire face in the 7th century?
Mongol invasions
Arab Muslim conquests
Viking raids
Crusader attacks
Explanation - The rapid expansion of Arab Muslim armies in the 7th century challenged Byzantine control in the Middle East and North Africa.
Correct answer is: Arab Muslim conquests
Q.11 Which defensive structure protected Constantinople for centuries?
Great Wall
Theodosian Walls
Hadrian’s Wall
Berlin Wall
Explanation - The Theodosian Walls, built in the 5th century, protected Constantinople from numerous sieges and invasions.
Correct answer is: Theodosian Walls
Q.12 Which emperor is known as the 'Bulgar Slayer'?
Justinian I
Basil II
Heraclius
Constantine VII
Explanation - Basil II, who ruled from 976–1025 CE, earned the nickname 'Bulgar Slayer' after decisively defeating the Bulgarian Empire.
Correct answer is: Basil II
Q.13 What was the primary religion of the Byzantine Empire?
Judaism
Christianity
Zoroastrianism
Islam
Explanation - Christianity was the state religion of the Byzantine Empire and played a central role in its culture and politics.
Correct answer is: Christianity
Q.14 The Byzantine Empire is often considered the continuation of which empire?
Persian Empire
Roman Empire
Ottoman Empire
Macedonian Empire
Explanation - The Byzantine Empire was the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire after the division in the late 3rd century.
Correct answer is: Roman Empire
Q.15 What event in 1054 CE split Christianity into Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism?
Council of Chalcedon
Nika Revolt
Great Schism
Council of Nicaea
Explanation - The Great Schism of 1054 divided Christianity into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the Byzantine Empire.
Correct answer is: Great Schism
Q.16 What was the Byzantine gold coin called?
Denarius
Solidus
Dinar
Drachma
Explanation - The solidus was a highly stable gold coin introduced by Constantine I, used widely in Byzantine trade.
Correct answer is: Solidus
Q.17 Which crusade infamously captured Constantinople in 1204?
First Crusade
Second Crusade
Fourth Crusade
Sixth Crusade
Explanation - The Fourth Crusade diverted to Constantinople and sacked the city in 1204, weakening the Byzantine Empire significantly.
Correct answer is: Fourth Crusade
Q.18 What was the official Christian church of the Byzantine Empire?
Roman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Protestant Church
Coptic Church
Explanation - The Eastern Orthodox Church was the official church of the Byzantine Empire, with the Patriarch of Constantinople as its leading figure.
Correct answer is: Eastern Orthodox Church
Q.19 Which empire conquered Constantinople in 1453?
Mongol Empire
Ottoman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
Persian Empire
Explanation - The Ottoman Turks, under Sultan Mehmed II, captured Constantinople in 1453, marking the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
Correct answer is: Ottoman Empire
Q.20 Who was the last Byzantine Emperor?
Constantine XI
Theodosius II
Basil II
Michael VIII
Explanation - Constantine XI Palaiologos was the last emperor of Byzantium, killed during the defense of Constantinople in 1453.
Correct answer is: Constantine XI
Q.21 What was the Byzantine Empire’s main trade advantage?
Access to silk production
Control of Mediterranean trade routes
Domination of sea piracy
Monopoly on spices
Explanation - Constantinople’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia allowed the Byzantines to dominate trade routes for centuries.
Correct answer is: Control of Mediterranean trade routes
Q.22 Which famous Byzantine general served under Justinian I?
Belisarius
Heraclius
Basil II
Nikephoros II
Explanation - Belisarius was Justinian I’s most important general, known for reconquering parts of the former Western Roman Empire.
Correct answer is: Belisarius
Q.23 Which Byzantine innovation helped defend against naval attacks?
Greek Fire
Gunpowder
Crossbows
Longboats
Explanation - Greek Fire was a secret incendiary weapon used by the Byzantine navy to destroy enemy ships, particularly effective against Arab fleets.
Correct answer is: Greek Fire
Q.24 Which emperor reorganized the empire’s administration and military in the 7th century?
Justinian I
Heraclius
Leo III
Constantine VII
Explanation - Emperor Heraclius restructured the Byzantine military into themes (military provinces) to better defend against Arab invasions.
Correct answer is: Heraclius
Q.25 What was the official name of the Byzantine Empire during its time?
Byzantine Empire
Eastern Roman Empire
Hellenistic Empire
Greek Empire
Explanation - The people of the Byzantine Empire considered themselves Romans and called their state the 'Roman Empire,' not 'Byzantine.'
Correct answer is: Eastern Roman Empire