What happened to the region of the Byzantine empire after it fell
After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, which occurred in 1453 when Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, the region experienced significant changes:
1. Ottoman Empire: The region of the Byzantine Empire became a part of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans ruled over the area for several centuries and adopted a policy of Islamic dominance and Turkification.
2. Conversion to Islam: The Christian majority of the Byzantine Empire gradually converted to Islam under Ottoman rule. Over time, the region's cultural, religious, and linguistic landscape changed as a result of Islamization.
3. Administrative Changes: The Byzantine administrative structure was replaced by the Ottoman system. The region was divided into provinces and governed by Ottoman officials. Local despots were allowed to maintain their rule under the Ottoman suzerainty.
4. Decline of Greek Influence: Greek culture, which had thrived during the Byzantine Empire, faced a period of decline under Ottoman rule. Greek literature, philosophy, and art saw a diminishing influence as the dominant Ottoman culture took precedence.
5. Loss of Territory: The Byzantine Empire had been geographically extensive, but with its fall, the region shrunk significantly. The Ottomans gradually conquered or incorporated many former Byzantine territories, leading to the loss of Greek, Anatolian, and Balkan regions.
6. Dispersion of Byzantine Scholars: The fall of the Byzantine Empire resulted in the dispersion of many Byzantine scholars and intellectuals who sought refuge in Western Europe. This influx of intellectuals contributed to the Renaissance period and helped revive classical Greek knowledge in Western Europe.
Overall, the fall of the Byzantine Empire and the subsequent rule of the Ottoman Empire caused significant changes in the region's culture, religion, administration, and territory.