Changes

The empire was multi-ethnic and officially Orthodox Christian; after c 750 AD, predominantly Greek-speaking.  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 officially Orthodox Christian; after c 750 AD, predominantly Greek-speaking.  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.  

[[File:Byz-600.jpg|thumb|600px|left]]

[[File:Byz-600.jpg|thumb|600px|left]]

==Survival==

==Survival==

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 reincorporated many elements of the Western Roman Empire, but shrunk back down to its Eastern roots as it lost these.  After surviving the initial 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]].   

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 reincorporated many elements of the Western Roman Empire, but shrunk back down to its Eastern roots as it lost these.  After surviving the initial 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]].   

==Iconoclasm==

==Iconoclasm==

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 arguments 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 opponents were automatically heretics.  

==Wars==

==Wars==

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]].   

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]].   

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>

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>

==Crusades==

==Crusades==

*see [[Crusades]]

*see [[Crusades]]