DAily Life the Byzantine Empire

Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire.  Up until the 12th century it was the greatest commercial center in medieval Europe.  It was the center of exchange between East and West. Constantinople also was a producer of silk cloth.  The appearance of the city owed much to the work of Justinina .  A large wall was built to protect the city.  The city was dominated by a series of immense palaces and hundreds of churches.