Changes

==Origins==

==Origins==

By the mid third century, the Roman Empire was beginning to become unmanagable because of its size and the slow speed of communication from one end to another. In an attempt to ovewrcome these difficulties,the Emperor Theodosius split the Roman Empire into two in 293 AD; each half having an 'Augustus' and a 'Caesar', his second in command and intended successor. This experimnent didn't last long and Constantine re united the empire, moving its capital from Rome to the city of Byzantium which, in due course, he renamed 'Constantinople'.   

By the mid third century, the Roman Empire was beginning to become unmanagable because of its size and the slow speed of communication from one end to another. In an attempt to ovewrcome these difficulties,the Emperor Diocletian split the Roman Empire into two in 293 AD; each half having an 'Augustus' and a 'Caesar', his second in command and intended successor. This experiment didn't last long and Constantine re united the empire, moving its capital from Rome to the city of Byzantium which, in due course, he renamed 'Constantinople'.   

==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.  

[[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 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]].   

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 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.  

*see [[Crusades]]

*see [[Crusades]]

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 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 Venetians, were astonished at the power and positions held by Eunuchs - men who, as children, had been castigated so that they would have no children and hence be no threat to the ruling Imperial dynasty.

==Collapse==

==Collapse==

[[File:Byz-1450.jpg|thumb|250px]] The Byzantine Empire never truly recovered from the blow dealt to it by the Crusaders.  Following the fall of the city to the Latins in 1204, the Empire was reduced to a mere shell of its former self. On May 29 1453, Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the [[Ottoman Turks]] after a long cannon bombardament.  

[[File:Byz-1450.jpg|thumb|250px]] The Byzantine Empire never truly recovered from the blow dealt to it by the Crusaders.  Following the fall of the city to the Latins in 1204, the Empire was reduced to a mere shell of its former self. On May 29 1453, Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the [[Ottoman Turks]] after a long cannon bombardment.  

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.