Characteristics
- At first, the empire’s territories included Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Syria, Palestine, and Mesopotamia.
- Its population was very varied.
- The settlers preferred to call themselves “ Romans “.
- The name Byzantine Empire was given in the sixteenth century by Hieronymus Wolf.
- They adopted Hellenic traditions and Greek language.
What are features of the Byzantine Empire?
What are 10 facts about the Byzantine Empire?
- It wasn’t called the Byzantine Empire until after it fell.
- Constantinople was purpose-built to serve as an imperial capital.
- Its most influential emperor came from humble origins.
- A riot by chariot racing hooligans nearly brought the Empire to its knees.
What were the strengths of the Byzantine Empire?
what was the political organization of the byzantine empire
- The rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire – Leonora Neville
- Byzantine Empire Part 2: Political Organization Economy Ch. 16 and 19
- The Byzantine Senate
- Byzantine Theme System
Is the Byzantine Empire a Muslim or Christian?
The emperor of Byzantine Empire was Justinian who occupied territories by the Goths and the main occupants of the empire were Christians, but after the fall of Rome; Christians who were horribly persecuted by the Byzantines welcomed the Muslims conquerors with open arms just to tolerate their religion.
How was the Byzantine Empire different that a Roman Empire?
Byzantine Empire
- First division of the Roman Empire ( diarchy) 1 April 286
- Founding of Constantinople 11 May 330
- Final East–West division after the death of Theodosius I 17 January 395
- Fall of Rome; deposition of Romulus Augustulus by Odoacer 4 September 476
- Assassination of Julius Nepos; nominal end of the Western Roman Empire 25 April 480
What are the Byzantine characteristics?
Byzantine structures featured soaring spaces and sumptuous decoration: marble columns and inlay, mosaics on the vaults, inlaid-stone pavements, and sometimes gold coffered ceilings.
What is the Byzantine Empire known for?
In the centuries leading up to the final Ottoman conquest in 1453, the culture of the Byzantine Empire–including literature, art, architecture, law and theology–flourished even as the empire itself faltered.
What were the political characteristics of the Byzantine Empire?
The Byzantine empire was a monarchy theocracy, adopting, following and applying the Hellenistic political systems and philosophies, the king was the incarnation of the law "nomos empsychos", his power was immeasurable and divine in origin, he was the ultimate benefactor, carer and saviour of his people, "Evergétis", " ...
What were 3 achievements of the Byzantine Empire?
The most important legacy of the Byzantine Empire is the preservation of Greek and Roman civilization during the Middle Ages. Byzantine civilization blended Christian religious beliefs with Greek science, philosophy, arts, and literature. They also extended Roman achievements in engineering and law.
What are 3 facts about the Byzantine Empire?
10 Things You May Not Know About the Byzantine EmpireIt wasn't called the Byzantine Empire until after it fell. ... Constantinople was purpose-built to serve as an imperial capital. ... Its most influential emperor came from humble origins. ... A riot by chariot racing hooligans nearly brought the Empire to its knees.More items...•
What are some remarkable and significant things about the Byzantine Empire?
Here are the 10 fascinating things you should know about the glorious kingdom of antiquity:1# It wasn't called the Byzantine Empire. ... 2# Byzantium's most powerful emperor was of a humble origin. ... 3# Constantinople was built to serve as a capital. ... 4# During the Nika Riots rampaging sports fans almost destroyed the empire.More items...•
What were the economic characteristics of the Byzantine Empire?
Grain and silk were two of the most important commodities for the empire. The Arab invasion of Egypt and Syria harmed the Byzantium's trade, and affected the provisioning of the capital with grain. As the population increased in the 9th and 10th centuries, the demand for grain also increased.
Which best describes Byzantine culture?
Which best describes Byzantine culture? It was a blend of Greco-Roman and Persian cultures.
How was the Byzantine Empire different from the Roman Empire?
The Western Roman Empire spoke Latin while the Byzantine Empire was Greek both culturally and linguistically. The Roman Empire covered more land than its eastern counterpart. At its peak, the Roman Empire reached into regions of the British islands, Germania, Spain, parts of North Africa, and much of Asia Minor.
What were the three most important contributions of the Byzantine Empire?
Terms in this set (14) Gave great power to the emperor. Discriminated against Jews and non-Christians. Allowed women to inherit property. Protected some individual rights.
What contributions made the Byzantine Empire unique?
The Byzantine Empire influenced many cultures, primarily due to its role in shaping Christian Orthodoxy. The modern-day Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest Christian church in the world. Orthodoxy is central to the history and societies of Greece, Bulgaria, Russia, Serbia, and other countries.
What inventions did the Byzantine Empire make?
Flamethrowers, hand grenades, portable sundials, musical organs, hydraulics, water cisterns, ship mills, and the fork were among the many inventions of the Byzantines.
When did the Byzantine Empire exist?
The Byzantine Empire existed from approximately 395 CE—when the Roman Empire was split—to 1453. It became one of the leading civilizations in the w...
How was the Byzantine Empire different from the Roman Empire?
The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire, and it survived over a thousand years after the western half dissolved. A series of...
How did the Byzantine Empire get its name?
Modern historians use the term Byzantine Empire to distinguish the state from the western portion of the Roman Empire. The name refers to Byzantium...
Where was the Byzantine Empire?
At its greatest extent, the Byzantine Empire covered much of the land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including what is now Italy, Greece, and T...
Did the Byzantine Empire practice Christianity?
Citizens of the Byzantine Empire strongly identified as Christians, just as they identified as Romans. Emperors, seeking to unite their realm under...
What was the Byzantine Empire?
Byzantine Empire, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived for a thousand years after the western half had crumbled into various feudal kingdoms and which finally fell to Ottoman Turkish onslaughts in 1453. Byzantine Empire Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The very name Byzantine illustrates the misconceptions to which ...
How long did the Byzantine Empire last?
The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire, and it survived over a thousand years after the western half dissolved. A series of regional traumas—including pestilence, warfare, social upheaval, and the Arab Muslim assault of the 630s—marked its cultural and institutional transformation from the Eastern Roman Empire to ...
What is the derivation of Byzantium?
The derivation from Byzantium is suggestive in that it emphasizes a central aspect of Byzantine civilization: the degree to which the empire’s administrative and intellectual life found a focus at Constantinople from 330 to 1453, the year of the city’s last and unsuccessful defense under the 11th (or 12th) Constantine.
What did the Emperors hope for?
To strengthen those sinews of imperial civilization, the emperors hoped that a lively and spontaneous trade might develop between the several provinces. At the pinnacle of that world stood the emperor himself, the man of wisdom who would shelter the state from whatever mishaps fortune had darkly hidden.
What is the only surviving piece of a giant statue that was made about 300 CE?
Constantine I. Marble head of Constantine I , the only surviving piece of a giant statue that was made about 300 ce. Photos.com/Thinkstock. The fortunes of the empire were thus intimately entwined with those of peoples whose achievements and failures constitute the medieval history of both Europe and Asia.
What is the Roman Empire?
The Roman Empire, the ancestor of the Byzantine, remarkably blended unity and diversity, the former being by far the better known, since its constituents were the predominant features of Roman civilization.
Where did the name Byzantine come from?
The latter term is derived from the name Byzantium, borne by a colony of ancient Greek foundation on the European side of the Bosporus, midway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Population of the Byzantine Empire
The population of the Empire was varied, reaching 34,000,000 inhabitants at its height , with an average density of 13.6 inhabitants per square kilometer. It is estimated, however, that in the following centuries the population decreased (due to wars, plagues and the loss of territory) to 18,000,000 (11th century) and 3,000,000 (13th century).
Name of the Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was called the Greek Empire by the other nations.
Identity of the Byzantine Empire
The citizens of the Byzantine Empire always felt much more Greek , and in fact adopted the Hellenic tradition and the Greek language, without this going against their feeling Roman.
Dark Age
A series of theological transformations would create the Orthodox Christian Church.
Macedonian revival
This period was followed by a major revival of the Empire , ruled by a dynasty of Macedonian kings and characterized by growing discrepancies between Eastern and Western Christianity.
The decline of the Byzantine Empire
During the Crusades, the Crusader Siege of Constantinople in 1204 occurred.
End of the Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire ceased to exist in the fifteenth century , mainly under siege by the Turkish troops of Osman I. The aid of the Western powers was conditional on the reunification of the Catholic and Orthodox churches, a condition that the Eastern ones did not accept. So many watched impassively as the Ottomans marched on Constantinople.
Greek origins of Byzantine civilization
The foundation of Byzantium, the Greek capital of Thrace located in present-day Turkey, is attributed to the Greek Byzantine or Byza who would be, according to tradition, the son of the nymph Ceroesa and, therefore, a descendant of Poseidon.
Population data of the Byzantine civilization
It is estimated that the Byzantine civilization was home to some 25 million people throughout an area of almost 1,600,000 km 2.
Social characteristics of the Byzantine civilization
The Byzantines combined their Hellenic tradition, Roman citizenship, and Christianity. The Byzantines combined their Hellenic tradition, Roman citizenship, and Christianity.
Byzantine culture
The Orthodox Church still survives in Greece, Russia, and Eastern Europe.
The economy of Byzantine Civilization
The Byzantine Empire was involved in the internal conflicts of Roman politics.
The political organization of the Byzantine civilization
Once declared the capital of the Roman Empire, ancient Byzantium, now Constantinople was embellished and remodeled to reflect its imperial importance.
Territorial characteristics of the Byzantine civilization
Byzantium saw its territory diminish as Islam invaded the African coasts.
What was the Byzantine Empire?
Byzantine Empire. Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων, Basileía Rhōmaíōn. Imperium Romanum. 395–1453 c. Flag (c. 1350) Chi Rho. The empire in 555 under Justinian the Great, at its greatest extent since the fall of the Western Roman Empire (its vassals in pink) The change of territory of the Byzantine Empire (476–1400) Capital.
What dynasty was the Byzantine Empire under?
See also: Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty. The Byzantine Empire, c. 867. The accession of Basil I to the throne in 867 marks the beginning of the Macedonian dynasty, which ruled for 150 years. This dynasty included some of the ablest emperors in Byzantium's history, and the period is one of revival.
What is the Ottoman Empire?
Ottoman Empire. ^ Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων may be transliterated in Latin as Basileia Rhōmaiōn (literally meaning Monarchy of the Romans, but commonly rendered Empire of the Romans). ^ Roman Empire.
When did Byzantine law come into force?
In 438, the Codex Theodosianus, named after Theodosius II, codified Byzantine law. It went into force not just in the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire, but also in the Western Roman Empire. It not only summarised the laws but also gave direction on interpretation.
Which region was more urbanized than the western Mediterranean?
These territories were home to many different cultural groups, both urban populations, and rural populations. Generally speaking, the eastern Mediterranean provinces were more urbanized than the western, having previously been united under the Macedonian Empire and Hellenised by the influence of Greek culture.
Who were the Komnenos?
During the Komnenian, or Comnenian, period from about 1081 to about 1185, the five emperors of the Komnenos dynasty (Alexios I, John II, Manuel I, Alexios II, and Andronikos I ) presided over a sustained, though ultimately incomplete, restoration of the military, territorial, economic, and political position of the Byzantine Empire. Although the Seljuk Turks occupied the heartland of the Empire in Anatolia, most Byzantine military efforts during this period were directed against Western powers, particularly the Normans.
Who won the Arab–Byzantine war?
Main article: Arab–Byzantine wars. The general Leo Phokas defeats the Hamdanid Emirate of Aleppo at Andrassos in 960, from the Madrid Skylitzes. Taking advantage of the Empire's weakness after the Revolt of Thomas the Slav in the early 820s, the Arabs re-emerged and captured Crete.
What did the Byzantine Empire share with the Western half?
The Byzantine Empire shared something in common with the unlucky Western half: the Christian church. In the first few centuries A.D., Christianity had remained a small, secretive cult often practiced in private homes rather than out in the open as it is today.
Which city in the Byzantine Empire had the same legitimacy as Rome?
When an ecumenical council at Chalcedon in 451 claimed that Constantinople, the Church's most important city in the Byzantine Empire, had the same legitimacy as Rome, the Church in the East and that in the West had reached an impasse.
What was the most important thing that happened at Chalcedon?
At this council, various important facets of Christianity were decided, such as the idea that God and Christ are one entity, which existed and exists in both a supernatural sense and in a material body on Earth, in the form of Jesus Christ.
What was the Roman Empire?
The Roman Empire was one of the greatest states in human history. From the British Isles to Asia Minor and everywhere in between, Rome's power was felt everywhere in the ancient world. However, after several centuries of dominance, Rome's stranglehold on the Western world began to weaken. In the 4th century A.D., the Empire eventually split into two, with the Western half being ruled by Rome and the Eastern half being ruled by the capital built by Constantine, Constantinople. In the West, invaders cut down weakened Roman legions and sacked Rome itself. The Eastern half, however, maintained its power and became one of the premier empires of the Middle Ages: the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire shared something in common with the unlucky Western half: the Christian church.
Which empire allowed the worshiper to communicate directly with the deity?
For example, in the Byzantine Empire, praying to or the worship of icons - that is, images or symbols that represent important religious figures - allowed the worshiper to communicate directly with that deity. Chalcedon.
When did the Pope go to Constantinople?
Matters came to a head in 1054, when an envoy from the Pope in Rome traveled to Constantinople to demand that the bishop of Constantine recognize the primacy of Rome's position in the Church.
Was Constantinople a secondary church?
Constantinople's place in the Church was generally secondary. However, in Chalcedon, the bishops confirmed the bishop of Constantinople as having the same legitimacy and power as the bishop of Rome.
What is the essential quality of Byzantine civilization?
The notion of a beginning for Byzantine civilization is controversial in itself, for many scholars will argue that the essential quality of Byzantine civilization is the absence of any breach in continuity with Graeco-Roman antiquity.
Why is the physical environment important to Byzantine civilization?
The physical environment outside of the cities is important for understanding Byzantine civilization and for understanding how Byzantines viewed the world and created intellectual products. But villages and the countryside also participated in that civilization.
Why did Byzantine civilization have ambivalence?
Byzantine civilization possessed ambivalence due to the opposition of centrifugal and centripetal forces, tensions between the impulse to asceticism and that to enjoyment of a joyful and tolerant way of life, conformity and nonconformity .
What was the Byzantine civilization's genesis and duration?
But such dating makes no sense in speaking of the civilization in contrast to political events and processes. Byzantine civilization's genesis and duration result ed from the persistence of a distinctive Hellenic culture within the Greek-speaking parts of the Roman Empire.
What is Byzantine civilization?
For others Byzantine civilization is the moral enterprise of a collectivity over time, including its central values and how they change, the attempt of its culture to create and realize a good society. It is its values and communities and sets of life and beliefs.
When did the Byzantines become Romans?
The Byzantines regarded themselves as Romans. Byzantine civilization itself took recognizable form in the fourth century a.d., in the wake of the conversion of Roman Emperor Constantine I to Christianity and the rapid Christianization of the society and empire.
Was Byzantine civilization a multicultural paradise?
However its civilization was never a multicultural paradise. There was always ethnic stereotyping and new inputs created backlashes. Its adherents did not cherish and value highly the diversity that actually existed within its midst. The issue of Byzantine intolerance for intellectual diversity is complex.
Mosaics were the signature characteristic of Byzantine architecture and Byzantine style. These mosaics illustrated religious scenes and important historical figures. Mosaics decorated the walls and ceilings of many different churches from the period
Byzantine architecture is the building style of Constantinople, now Istanbul, formerly ancient Byzantium after AD 330. Byzantine architects at first draw heavily on Roman temple features.
Who were the Byzantines?
What was the Byzantine Empire? Who were the people in the empire? The simplest explanation is the Byzantine were the remnants of the Eastern Roman Empire which survived from the 5th century CE until the fall of Constantinople in 1453 CE. The Romans and Byzantines were very similar.
Byzantine Architecture main Characteristics
Mosaics As we said before, mosaics were the signature characteristic of Byzantine architecture and Byzantine style. These mosaics illustrated religious scenes and important historical figures. Mosaics decorated the walls and ceilings of many different churches from the period.
Best Examples of Byzantine Architecture
Byzantines were master builders. They created some of the most incredible and amazing works of architecture all over their empire and beyond. At the same time, they invented building techniques, styles, and technologies.
2- Commercial Development
- Thanks to its strategic location between Europe, Asia and Africa, the Byzantine Empire was one of the main terminals of the silk route and the most important shopping center during the Middle Ages. Due to this, the Ottoman invasion caused a rupture in the route of the silk, which forced th…
3- Cultural Development
- The Byzantine Empire had a broad cultural development and a fundamental participation in the conservation and transmission of classical thought. His historiographical tradition kept alive the artistic, architectural and philosophical tradition. For this reason, it is considered that the cultural development of this empire was important for the cultural development of all humanity.
4- The Artistic Legacy
- One of the main cultural contributions of the Byzantine Empire was its artistic legacy. From the beginning of its decline, the artists of the empire sought refuge in neighboring countries, where they took their work and influence that would later nourish the art of rebirth. Byzantine art was highly prized in its time, therefore, Western artists were open to their influences. An example of t…
5- The Architectural Legacy
- The Byzantine architectural style is characterized by a naturalistic style and by the use of the techniques of the Greek and Roman empires, mixed with the themes of Christianity. The influence of Byzantine architecture can be found in different countries from Egypt to Russia. These tendencies are especially visible in religious buildings such as the Cathedral of Westminster, typi…
6- Byzantine Discussions
- One of the main cultural practices that characterized the Byzantine Empire was philosophical and theological debates and discourses. Thanks to these, the scientific and philosophical heritage of the Ancient Greek thinkers . In fact, the concept"Byzantine discussions"whose use remains valid until today, comes from this culture of debate. Particularly it refers to the discussions that took …
7- The Identity
- The Byzantines identified themselves as Romaioi or Romans and had developed a national consciousness. This identity was reflected in his literature, especially in some songs that praised the inhabitants of the border to defend the limits of the empire. This sense of belonging was preserved over time. Even after the dissolution of the Byzantine state. During the Ottoman invasi…
8- The Role of Women
- Society in the Byzantine Empire was extremely religious and familiar. Women had a spiritual status equal to that of men and also occupied an important place within the constitution of the family nuclei. Although submissive attitudes were demanded, some of them were involved in politics and commerce. In addition they had the right to inherit and even in some cases they ha…
9- The Eunuchs
- The eunuchs, men who had undergone castration, were another feature of the Byzantine Empire. There was a habit of practicing castration as punishment for certain crimes, but it also applied to young children. In the latter case, the eunuchs held high positions in court because they were considered trustworthy. This is due to their inability to reclaim the throne and have descendants.
10- Diplomacy
- One of the most important features of the Byzantine Empire was the ability to stay alive for over 1000 years. This accomplishment was not due to the armed defense of the territory, but to the administrative capacities that included a correct management of the diplomacy. The Byzantine emperors were inclined to avoid wars as much as possible. This attitude was the best defense, …
Greek Origins of Byzantine Civilization
Refoundation of Byzantium
Population Data of The Byzantine Civilization
Social Characteristics of The Byzantine Civilization
- Given its privileged location, Byzantium was a point of cultural and ethnic convergence, characterized by a highly varied population. The Byzantines identified at the same time with their Hellenic Greek tradition, their Roman citizenship, and their Christian religion, which gives us an idea of the richness of their culture and the diversity of its ...
Byzantine Culture
The Economy of Byzantine Civilization
The Political Organization of The Byzantine Civilization
Territorial Characteristics of The Byzantine Civilization
Military Characteristics of The Byzantine Civilization
End of The Byzantine Empire