Document 1 ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE: The
Byzantine Empire extended Roman knowledge of
engineering, especially in the area of architecture.
Justinian launched an impressive building program
designed to make Constantinople a dazzling city. The
best known of his structures is the Church of Hagia
Sophia, whose name means "holy Wisdom". It includes
a huge arching dome. Byzantine architects blended
Greek and Roman styles. ART: Icons were holy images
of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or saints of the Orthodox Church. More than just paintings, they
were supposed to create a sense that the sacred person was actually present. Mosaics,
pictures or designs formed by inlaid pieces of stone of other materials, often showed biblical scenes.
(1) There were important elements of Byzantine architecture and art. Specifically,

(2) The Byzantine Empire created art centered around religion. As a result,