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The '''Byzantine Empire''' is the name given to the eastern part of the [[Roman Empire]], which survived until well into the [[Middle Ages]].  First split into an Eastern and Western divisions by [[Diocletian]] in 293, the Eastern Empire went on to outlive its Western half, which fell in 476 AD, by 1000 years. Founded by the Emperor [[Constantine]] in 330 in the city of Constantinople, the empire was multi-ethnic and predominantly Greek-speaking.  The empire's heritage consisted of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Greek]] philosophy,[[Greek]] language, Byzantine Art and Architecture and Roman law.  While western Europe struggled through the dark ages, the Byzantine Empire kept up an aura of refinement and defensive strength that sheltered Europe from the attacks of first the Persian Empire, then [Islam]].   

The '''Byzantine Empire''' is the name given to the eastern part of the [[Roman Empire]], which survived until well into the [[Middle Ages]].  First split into an Eastern and Western divisions by [[Diocletian]] in 293, the Eastern Empire went on to outlive its Western half, which fell in 476 AD, by 1000 years. Founded by the Emperor [[Constantine]] in 330 in the city of [[Constantinople]], the empire was multi-ethnic and predominantly Greek-speaking.  The empire's heritage consisted of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Greek]] philosophy, [[Greek]] language, Byzantine Art and Architecture and [[Roman law]].  It survived the fall of the Western Empire in 476 because of much greater financial resources.  In other words it could bribe away attacking armies whereas the west could not.  The Empire actually reached its height in the 500s under Justinian as it reincluded many elements of the Western Roman Empire, but shrunk back down to its Eastern roots as it lost these.  After surviving the intial rush of Islamic expansion, the Empire settled into boundaries that were relatively stable for several hundred years.  While western Europe struggled through the [[Dark Ages]], the Byzantine Empire kept up an aura of refinement and defensive strength that sheltered Europe from the attacks of first the Persian Empire, then [[Islam]].   

Constantine legalized Christianity and put an end to 300 years of Christian persecution in the Empire and his son [[Constantius]] (337-361) continued to follow in his father's footsteps.  But [[Julian]], Constantius' scholarly cousin who Constantius helped to rise to prominence, usurped the Emperorship; Constantius died on the way to meet Julian in battle and Julian became sole ruler.  Immediately he renounced Christianity and embraced paganism.  He became known to the Christian Church and history as "Julian the Apostate" (361 - 363).  He went so far as to outlaw Christianity but upon his death, it was reintroduced by his sucessor, the Emperor [[Jovial]].  

The Empire had difficulties with the "Iconoclast" controversy - a dispute lasting nealy 100 years and centering around arguements over whether or not to allow "holow images" or icons to be displayed in the churches.  The position of the Emperors was often at odds with many of the subjects.  

Christianity didn't have an easy ride at first and took some time to settle down and be accepted by the bulk of the population as the predominant and official religion of the Empire. For example, a few hundred years after the founding of the church and the 20 or so years after Constantine's declaration making Christianity the formal religion of the Roman Empire, Christian church fathers began to turn their attention away from such trivialities as "surviving persecution" and toward the greater mysteries of the multitude of Gospels and letters that comprised Christian scripture. One such problem was the nature of Christ. One prominent church leader, named Arius, delved deep into the major gospels and letters and found that there was a problem with the idea of Christ having been "elevated", as Paul states, from humanity to deity at the resurrection. Essentially, this would mean a second God had been created - and Christianity was supposed to be monotheistic. The notion of "creating" a God was also extremely troublesome, but Arius held that this is precisely what scripture would imply. Another prominent leader, Athanasius, came up with a resolution to this problem by declaring that Jesus had always been God, and had become human through birth... etc. etc. And because 2 was not a divine number, but 3 was, Athanasius threw in the OT concept of the "Holy Spirit" to create an eternal trinity. There, no problem - Jesus was just another part of God, but had always been God and... you get the idea.  

The Empire was often at war with at least one foreign power, but their strong defensive strategy was usually able to weather attacks. Other than the period 1204 to 1261, the Empire was always centred in [[Constantinople]].

Arius angirly denounced this theology, showing repeatedly in debates that this position was not supported at all by scripture. Arius and Athanasius had numerous followers and this debate threatened a rupture in the church. So, the Roman Emperor basically told them they needed to resolve their differences, and there was a huge meeting held to resolve things. But it didn't resolve things, it made things worse. So the Constantine the Great, the Emperor, decided things, and he based his decision on the fact that Athanasius had the bigger group of supporters - thus, by political decree, the Trinity came to be.

While taking on offensive position to "reunite" with the west under Justinian in the 500's, for the most part the position of the Empire was defensive in nature, having little desire to increase its borders. For years the cultured Byzantine Empire was the protector of Dark Age Europe, repelling Islamic armies that would stretch to control lands from Morocco to India via Hungary.  The secure and lasting nature of the Empire was changed forever when treachery led their defeat to Islamic armies at the [[Battle of Manzikert]] in 1071.  They lost all of Anatolia to the invaders. Even when they retook the land, much of the population had perished with many of the survivors having fled.  Areas that once allowed armies of 120,000 men to be raised for the defense of the Empire had now become barren.  The Empire was forced to rely on mercenaries for the bulk of their army from that point forward.<ref>Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979</ref>

Christianity also had difficulties with the "Iconoclast" controversy - a dispute lasting nealy 100 years and centering around arguements over whether or not to allow "holow images" or icons to be displayed in the churches.  

The Empire was dealt another blow in 1204 when forces from Western Europe in the [[Fourth Crusade]] sacked Constantinople in 1204, the first time that had ever happened, instead of going to the [[Holy Land]].  They set up their own "Latin" Empire, so called because of their attempts to make Latin the official language of the Empire rather than Greek, which lasted until the Byzantine reinstatement in 1261. On their arrival in Constantinople, the Latins, mostly Franks and Ventians, were astonished at the power and positions held by "Eurochs" - men who, as children, had been castigated so that they would have no children and hence be no threat to the ruling Imperial dynasty.

The Empire was often at war with at least one foreign power and as a result, its borders fluctuated greatly over time. However, other than the period 1204 to 1261, the Empire was always centred in [[Constantinople]].

The Byzantine Empire never truly recovered from the blow dealt to it by the Crusaders.  On May 29 1453, Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the [[Ottoman Turks]] after a long cannon bombardament - though by this time, following the fall of the city to the Latins in 1204, the Empire had been reduced to a mere shell of its former self. It is believed by some that the last indirect descendant of Constantine Palealogous XXI, the last Emperor of Byzantium, was Lady Joanna Constantine, who died in Northampton, England, in October 1859.  

While taking on offensive position to "reunite" with the west under Justinian in the 500's, for the most part the position of the Empire was defensive in nature, having little desire, or for the most part, ability, to increase its borders.  For years the cultured Byzantine Empire was the protector of Dark Age Europe, repelling Islamic armies that would stretch to control lands from Morocco to India via Hungary. This didn't stop the Western forces of the Fourth Crusade sacking Constantinople in 1204 and setting up their own "Latin" Empire, so called because of their attempts to make Latin the official language of the Empire rather than Greek, which lasted until the Byzantine reinstatement in 1261.On their arrival in Canstantinople, the Latins, mostly Franks and Ventians, were astonished at the power and positions held by "Eurochs" - men who, as children, had been castigated so that they would have no children and hence be no threat to the ruling Imperial dynasty.

The Ottoman conquerors, whose original capital had been located in Sofa, now in [[Bulgaria]], renamed the city [[Istanbul]] and turned the great church of that city into a mosque.  

[[Category:European History]]

[[Category:Roman Empire]]

 

 

[[Category:European History]][[Category:Roman Empire]]