Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was a continuation of the Roman Empire in its eastern provinces after the Fall of the Western Roman Empire. It lasted from 330 AD, when Constantine the Great moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium (renamed Constantinople), until its fall to the Ottoman Empire in 1453.
The Byzantine Empire was culturally and politically distinct from the Western Roman Empire. It had a mixed Roman-Greek culture and was heavily influenced by Christianity, specifically the Eastern Orthodox branch. The Empire's official language was Greek, although Latin remained the language of the government and the military.
The Byzantine Empire went through various periods of expansion and decline throughout its history. During the reign of Justinian I in the 6th century, it reached its greatest territorial extent, encompassing much of the Mediterranean basin and parts of Asia and Africa. However, subsequent centuries brought numerous invasions and attacks by different groups, including Germanic tribes, Arabs, Bulgarians, and Crusaders.
Despite these challenges, the Byzantine Empire managed to survive through a complex system of diplomacy, military prowess, and administrative reforms. It was known for its highly centralized bureaucracy, developed legal code (Justinian's Code), vibrant arts and culture, and innovative engineering, as seen in the construction of Hagia Sophia.
One of the most significant political contributions of the Byzantine Empire was the preservation and transmission of Greek and Roman knowledge and culture during the European Middle Ages. Byzantine scholars preserved ancient texts, translated them into Greek, and built on the intellectual legacy of the past.
The Byzantine Empire's decline was a gradual process, marked by economic difficulties, territorial losses, and internal strife. It finally succumbed to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 when Constantinople fell after a lengthy siege. The fall of Constantinople ended the medieval era and marked the transition from the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman Empire, which would dominate the eastern Mediterranean for centuries.