Western and Eastern Empires Split Quick Check

Question

5 of 55 of 5 Items

Question
Use the maps to answer the 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

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

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

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

Both empires controlled Asia Minor and the Italian Peninsula.

Answer 1

To determine which statement best identifies a similarity between the territories controlled by the Byzantine Empire under Justinian I and the Roman Empire under Trajan, we can analyze the options provided.

1. Neither empire controlled the entire Mediterranean coastline. - This is likely true for both empires, as neither had dominance over every coastal region along the Mediterranean.

2. Neither empire controlled the entire Iberian Peninsula. - This is also true for both empires, as both had territories that did not encompass the whole peninsula.

3. Both empires controlled Mesopotamia and the Italian Peninsula. - This is incorrect as while most of the Roman Empire included parts of Mesopotamia, control fluctuated, and Justinian I's territory was primarily focused on the Mediterranean and parts of North Africa, not all of Mesopotamia.

4. Both empires controlled Asia Minor and the Italian Peninsula. - This statement holds true, as both empires did control Asia Minor and the Italian Peninsula during their respective eras.

Given this analysis, the best response that identifies a similarity is:

Both empires controlled Asia Minor and the Italian Peninsula.