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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]]). [[File:Byz-army.jpg|thumb|250px]]

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]].   

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 and Christian.  The empire's heritage consisted of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], ancient Greek culture, Byzantine art and architecture and [[Roman law]].  Of the 55,000 ancient Greek texts in existence today, some 40,000 were transmitted by Byzantine scribes. And it was the Byzantine Empire that shielded Western Europe from invasion until it was ready to take its own place at the center of the world stage.

 

 

It survived the fall of the Western Empire in 476 because of much greater financial resources.  That is, it bribed 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]].   

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 but since the Emperors considered that they were appointed by God, this didn't matter since their oponents were automatically heretics.  

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 but since the Emperors considered that they were appointed by God, this didn't matter since their oponents were automatically heretics.  

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.  

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:European History]]