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

The '''Byzantine Empire''' is the great Greek-language Christian empire that emerged after 395AD from the eastern part of the [[Roman Empire]], Thanks to efficient government and clever diplomacy that divided its many enemies, the Empire survived.  Much diminished after 1200 AD, it finally fell to the Turks in 1453--indeed its fall is often used to date the end of the [[Middle Ages]].  Its capital was Constantinople (which it renamed [[Byzantium]] and is now [[Istanbul]]). [[File:Byz-army.jpg|thumb|250px]]

==Origins==

==Origins==

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]],

Roman Emperor Theodosius I split his realm in DA.

==Culture==

==Culture==

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.  

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.