| − | The '''Byzantine Empire''' is the name given to the eastern part of the [[Roman Empire]], which survived until 1453--indeed its fall is often used to date the end of the [[Middle Ages]]. Its capital was [[Byzantium]] (now [[Istanbul]]) | + | The '''Byzantine Empire''' is the name given to the eastern part of the [[Roman Empire]], which survived until 1453--indeed its fall is often used to date the end of the [[Middle Ages]]. Its capital was [[Byzantium]] (now [[Istanbul]]). |