Deadly police incidents are more common in these cities
The Byzantine Empire (also known as Byzantium or the Eastern Roman Empire) was the eastern half of the Roman Empire that continued on after it collapsed. With its base at Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the empire existed from 330 CE to 1453 CE, during which its territories extended as far as Western Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. This prolific and successful empire developed its own political systems, religious practices, art, and architecture that have all left a mark to this day.
Intrigued to discover more about the Byzantine Empire? Then check out the following gallery.
The term came into use during the 18th and 19th centuries. For people of actual era, Byzantium was a continuation of the Roman Empire, which had moved its seat of power from Rome to Constantinople.
The origins of the Byzantine Empire date to 324 CE, when Emperor Constantine abandoned the decaying city of Rome and moved his court to Byzantium. The ancient port town was strategically located on the Bosporus strait, separating Europe and Asia. And in only six years it went from a small Greek colony to a mega metropolis.
Born around 482 CE in the Balkans, Justinian I was a peasant son before being taken under the wing of his uncle Justin I, a former soldier who later became the Byzantine emperor. Justinian succeeded Justin in 527 CE, and became the most influential emperor in the history of the Byzantine Empire.
In the 38 years of Justinian I’s rule, Constantinople flourished into one of the richest cities in the world. The emperor was responsible for codifying Roman law, which shaped the modern concept of the state. He was also responsible for building the incredible Hagia Sophia.
Byzantine chariot racing had two teams, the Blues and the Greens, who were sworn enemies with violent supporters. However, in 532 CE, discontent over taxation and the attempted execution of two of their leaders saw the enemies join forces, burning buildings and even trying to crown a new ruler. Known as the Nika Riots, an estimated 30,000 people died from the violence.
Byzantine politicians often avoided killing their rivals in favor of carrying out physical mutilation. Emperor Justinian II had his nose hacked off when he was overthrown in 695 CE, but returned from exile 10 years later and reclaimed the throne with supposedly a prosthetic golden nose.
Known as Greek fire, this mysterious incendiary liquid was used to set enemy troops and ships on fire. The precise recipe for this ancient napalm has been lost to history.
The writings of Greek thinkers such as Plato, Ptolemy, and Galen might have been lost if not for the Byzantine Empire. Constantinople’s libraries safeguarded Greek and Roman texts that were slowly vanishing in the West.
Irene of Athens was the empress of the Byzantine Empire from 797 to 802 CE. After serving as regent, she secured her seat on the throne by blinding and killing her son. Irene even sometimes went by Emperor instead of Empress in official documents.
Constantinople’s towering city walls kept invading Goths, Persians, Russians and Arabs at bay for centuries, but they weren't ready for new military technology. In the spring of 1453 CE, having already conquered most of the Byzantine frontier, Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mehmed II laid siege to the capital with a collection of cannons, designed by a Hungarian engineer. After bombarding the city's defenses for several weeks, they blasted a wall and managed to invade.
When the Crusaders couldn't continue on to seize Jerusalem due to cash shortages, they made a detour to Constantinople to restore a deposed emperor to the throne. After a deal to fund their expedition to the Holy Lands fell through in 1204 CE, the Crusaders carried out a bloody attack on the city, stealing its treasure, art, and religious relics. While the Byzantines later recaptured Constantinople in 1261, the empire would never regain its former glory.
Over the centuries, its Greek-speaking Church developed distinct liturgical differences from the Catholic, Latin-speaking Church in the West. The theological tension rose in 1054 CE when the Churches issued decrees excommunicating one another, known as the Great Schism. This then created two separate branches of Christianity.
The Byzantines helped merge the flavors of the East and the West. They were the first to use saffron in cooking, and to flavor lamb with rosemary. They also introduced the table fork to Europe via Italy.
The Byzantines believed that the emperor had absolute power and that he represented God on earth. For this reason, the emperor had to maintain physical perfection in order to rule.
When the Byzantine Empire began, Latin was the official language of the courts, even though Greek was the primary spoken language. Later on, the divide between the two empires would further deepen when Greek was made the official language of the Byzantines.
While Christianity was spreading and being promoted by multiple emperors, Theodosius I made sure Christianity would surpass Paganism. He severely persecuted pagans, and even banned the Ancient Olympic Games and closed the famous philosophical schools of Athens.
The Byzantine Empire was known for its wealth, but the majority of its population were peasant workers who farmed the countryside or worked for different estates.
During the height of their reign, the Byzantine Empire had one of the most powerful economies thanks to their organized infrastructure, which took advantage of their strategic location to build a lucrative economy.
The Byzantines were also responsible for the introduction of many fruits, such as oranges and lemons, which are today staples of Mediterranean cuisine.
Byzantium was a strategic location on the Bosporus strait, which effectively connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea by way of the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara. It's still one of the most significant straits for oil trade in the world.
Emperor Maurice's downfall was his inability to judge the popularity of his decisions. He ordered his front line troops on the Danube to take the offensive during wintertime, rather than taking shelter. This led to a military coup, which would end with Maurice’s execution.
The Imperial Library of Constantinople was the last of the great libraries of the ancient world, lasting almost for the entirety of the empire’s reign. It was founded by Constantius II in order to preserve the ancient Greek texts.
St. Nicholas, who gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus due to his fame of gift-giving, was born in the ancient town of Myra near modern-day Demre, Turkey.
Bakers were highly regarded by the Byzantines. As a way to prevent any possible interruption of baking, bakers were never required to contribute to public service.
The second-longest reigning monarch of the Byzantine Empire was Basil II, who ruled for 49 years. After he destroyed the Bulgarian forces at the Battle of Kleidion, he took 15,000 prisoners. He blinded 99 out of every 100 men and left one one-eyed man in each convoy to lead the rest back to their ruler.
Wine was extremely popular and consumed throughout the empire. Flavored drinks were also a hit, and they were the early ancestors of absinthe, vermouth, and ouzo.
The Byzantine army was used as a police force, and the state was partitioned into military districts. The military was their alarm system, so in times of trouble a district would bring fire to the top of mountain peaks to warn their neighbors of potential danger.
Georgius Gemistus was a Neoplatonic philosopher who was responsible for introducing classic Greek philosophy to medieval Europe by presenting Plato’s ideas at the Council of Florence in 1439 CE. This led to the first Latin translation of Plato’s works.
After taking back power from the Crusaders, the empire struggled into the 15th century. The emperors gradually lost their importance in favor of religious officials, and in 1453 CE, when the Ottoman army sieged Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire fell.
Sources: (History) (History Today) (Live Science)
Curiosities you didn’t know about the Byzantine Empire
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The Byzantine Empire (also known as Byzantium or the Eastern Roman Empire) was the eastern half of the Roman Empire that continued on after it collapsed. With its base at Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the empire existed from 330 CE to 1453 CE, during which its territories extended as far as Western Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. This prolific and successful empire developed its own political systems, religious practices, art, and architecture that have all left a mark to this day.
Intrigued to discover more about the Byzantine Empire? Then check out the following gallery.