Use the maps to answer the question.

Question

A map shows the Mediterranean Sea region and surrounding territories. The boundaries during the Justinian I era are highlighted. A Key shows a patterned square indicating the Justinian I era, year 565 common era. The corresponding territories on the map circle the Mediterranean Sea and include the following: the southeast corner of the Iberian Peninsula with a very small area at the tip of Mauretania across the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea; Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Italy with the city of Rome, Sicily, Macedonia, Thrace, the Bosporus and the city of Constantinople, Asia Minor, Cappadocia, two very small areas along the northern coast of the Black Sea, Armenia, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Cyrene and the remaining northern coast of Africa, ending at Mauretania. Surrounding non-patterned labeled lands include Britannia, the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, Aquitania, Belgica, Dacia, Sasanian Empire in the east, Africa below the coast, and Mauretania. Also labeled are the Atlantic Ocean, Aegean Sea, Caspian Sea, Red Sea, Rhine River, Danube River, Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, and Nile River. A scale shows 400 miles and 400 kilometers.

Compare the maps of the Byzantine Empire under the rule of Justinian I and the Roman Empire under the rule of Trajan. Which statement best identifies a similarity between the territories controlled?

(1 point)
Responses which answer is correct and why

Both empires controlled Mesopotamia and the Italian Peninsula.
Both empires controlled Mesopotamia and the Italian Peninsula.

Neither empire controlled the entire Iberian Peninsula.
Neither empire controlled the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Neither empire controlled the entire Mediterranean coastline.
Neither empire controlled the entire Mediterranean coastline.

Both empires controlled Asia Minor and the Italian Peninsula.
Both empires controlled Asia Minor and the Italian Peninsula.
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Answer 1

The correct statement that identifies a similarity between the territories controlled by the Byzantine Empire under Justinian I and the Roman Empire under Trajan is:

Both empires controlled Asia Minor and the Italian Peninsula.

Reason: Both empires had significant influence and territorial control over Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and the Italian Peninsula (including Rome), which were key regions in both the Byzantine and Roman Empires. The other statements either incorrectly suggest that both empires controlled regions they did not fully occupy or assert claims that lack evidence based on historical accounts.