Byzantine Empire (330-1453)

Byzantine Empire: The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, began in 330 AD and lasted until 1453 AD. It was the most powerful economic, cultural, and military force in Europe before it declined. Constantinople, Byzantine Empire’s capital in present-day Istanbul served as a key economic and political center in Europe and globally.

In this article, we have talked about the Byzantine Empire, how it originated, its History, the Byzantine Government & Society, its Economy, the Emperors of the Byzantine Empire, its Art and Architecture, Religion, Science, and Medicine, the Legacy left behind the Byzantine Empire and how it declined.

Byzantine Empire: Overview

Amongst the greatest and famous empires of the world is the Byzantine Empire (330 AD–1453 AD) , it is also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire survived even after the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Byzantine’s capital was Constantinopole, which was a powerful economic and political center in Europe.

Overview of the Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire	also known as the Eastern Roman Empire
Capital	Constantinopole (modern day- Istanbul)
Location	Area surrounding the Mediterranean sea, including present day- Italy, Greece and Turkey along with portions of North Africa and the Middle East.
Time Period	330 AD–1453 AD
Government	Monarchy, Autocracy and Absolute Monarchy
Religion	Christianity
Currency	Solidus, Denarius and Hyperpyron
Languages spoken	Greek and Latin
Preceded By	Roman Empire
Succeeded By	Ottoman Empire

Byzantine Empire: Origin

The term “Byzantine” has its origins from the Greek colony of Byzantium, which was located on the European side of the Bosporus, a strait linking the Black sea to the Mediterranean. Byzantium soon developed as a place which was considered to be an ideal trade and transit route between Europe and Asia.

In 330 AD, Roman Emperor Constantine I chose Byzantium as his new capital. There are several reasons why Byzantium was chosen as the capital city, some of the reason are:

• Considering how large the Roman Empire was, administering from a single capital i.e. Rome became difficult.

• Due to the barbarian invasions, external aggression from the Sassanid Empire from the East or usurpations by rival claimants to the imperial throne led to the Emperor being away from Rome for most of the time.

• This led to the need of having a new capital for better administration and as an alternative for a capital city.

Constantinopole, the new capital was named after Constantine I. Christianity as Rome’s official religion was adapted during Constantinopole’s Nicaea Council. An important trade and cultural center of the empire, Constantinopole was home to people of various ethnicities, religions, and beliefs.

People of Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire identified themselves as Romans and Christians, although they spoke Greek instead of Latin.

Byzantine Empire: History

The Roman emperor -Constantine I moved the capital to Constantinople in 330 AD, leading to establishment of a strong civilization known as the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire had political structures, religious beliefs and cultural traditions. It was a Christian state, and Greek was its official language.

The Byzantine Empire had a significant impact on the creation of art, literature, architecture, religion and science etc. Boundaries of the Byzantine Empire changed over time. It covered a large area, consisting of most of North Africa and the Middle East.

The Byzantine Empire continued to thrive even after the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Several factors led to the survival and rise of Byzantine, such as:

• Considering its strategic geographical location, it was less vulnerable to attacks and invasions compared to its Western counterparts.

• Being located on a strait, conventional weapons could not destroy the Byzantine Empire’s defence systems.
• Located near the Silk Road, Byzantine emperors had a good source revenue, which increased their economic resources. This made it easier to have a standing army and pay them, get resources required for protecting themselves against invaders.

Byzantine Empire: Government and Society

The Byzantine Empire had a complex government and society. Some important details about the Byzantine politics and society are given below:

• The Byzantine Empire was governed by an Emperor who had unrestricted authority and was regarded as God’s representative on Earth.

• Byzantine Empire’s administration was handled by a sophisticated bureaucracy, which helped the Emperor. Most of the bureaucrats were highly educated and were appointed based on merit.

• Justice and the Rule of Law: The Byzantine Empire had a sophisticated legal structure based on Roman law. The Emperor was assisted by legal professionals. He possessed supreme legal authority.

• Military: The Byzantine Empire had a powerful and well-organized army that protected the borders and helped in expansion of the empire.

• Byzantine Empire Religion: Christianity predominated in the Byzantine Empire. The Emperor served as the head of the Orthodox Church.

• Differenent social classes in Byzantium were: the aristocracy, the clergy, and the common people Women had few rights and were frequently denied positions of authority.

• Culture: Art, architecture, literature, and music of the Byzantine Empire was very popular. Byzantine had a rich cultural heritage, a combination of Christian, Roman, and Greek customs.

Byzantine Empire: Economy

The Byzantine economy was one of the most advanced economies in Europe and the Mediterranean region. Constantinople was a primary trading network hub and an important location in the famous Silk Road. Until the first half of the 6th century, the Byzantine economy was growing.

The government exercised control over interest rates and overlooked the functioning of the guilds and corporations. To ensure smooth functioning during the time of a crisis, the emperor and his officials intervened. They lowered the price of cereals. Through taxation, the government collected part of the surplus and put it back into circulation, by redistributing salaries to state officials, or by investing in public works.

Byzantine’s main economy owes its growth to trade, considering the maritime nature of the empire. Textiles were an important item of export; along with Silks which were imported into Egypt. The state strictly monitored internal and international trade, and had monopoly in issuing coins. This maintained a durable and flexible monetary system adaptable to trade needs.

Byzantine Empire: Emperors

Reign of various emperors ruled the Byzantine Empire which left a significant impact on the political, social, and cultural landscape of the Mediterranean region.

List of Emperors of the Byzantine Empire

Serial No.	Emperor	Time Period	Known for
1.	Constantine I	306-337 AD	Founded the city of Constantinople which became the new capital of the Roman Empire.
2.	Justinian I	527-565 AD	Popular for his legal reforms The construction of the Hagia Sophia.
3.	Heraclius	610-641 AD	Led the Byzantine army to defeat the Sassanid Empire. Protected the empire from Arab invasions.
4.	Basil II	976-1025 AD	Expanded the empire’s territory Reformed the administration and military.
5.	Alexios I Komnenos	1081-1118 AD	Successfully repelled the First Crusade Initiated the Komnenian restoration, a period of cultural and military resurgence.
6.	Manuel I Komnenos	1143-1180 AD	Expanded the empire’s territory Promoted arts and literature.
7.	Constantine XI Palaiologos	1449-1453 AD	Last Emperor of the Byzantine Empire He died defending Constantinople against the Ottoman Turks.

Byzantine Empire: Art & Architecture

There was a great influence of Christian beliefs and Roman family history in the art and architecture of the Byzantine Empire.

• The religious themes of Byzantine art, included representations of Jesus, Mary & the saints, which were highly stylized. Rich colours like deep blues and reds, intricate patterns, and Gold backgrounds were seen.

• Domes, arches, and ornate decorations were seen in the Byzantine Architecture.

• Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, built in the 6th century and presently a Museum, is considered to be the greatest example of Byzantine architecture.

• Apart from these, mosaics were also seen in while depicting religious scenes or figures made from tiny pieces of coloured glass or stone.

• Use of religious images, known as iconography, was another aspect of the Byzantine art.

• Icons were typically miniature paintings of religious figures which were carried around and used during religious rituals and personal devotions.

• Illumination of manuscripts in Byzantine art was quite popular.

• Scribes very carefully copied religious texts which had detailed illustrations and decorative borders.

• Portraits of emperors and princes, was also made.

During the Renaissance and even today, the Byzantine art and architecture has left an everlasting impact on later European art and architecture and worldwide.

Byzantine Empire: Religion

The Byzantine Empire was a theocratic state, said to have been ruled by God who operated through emperor. The emperor had an active role in the affairs of the Church. The Byzantine state inherited from pagan times the administrative and financial routine of administering religious affairs, which was applied to the Christian Church. Constantinople is generally considered the “cradle of Orthodox Chritian civilization.”  Even when the empire was not that strong, the Church continued to exercise a lot of influence on the imperial frontiers. 

Byzantine monasteries became quite important, which played an active role in imperial politics.

The official state Christian doctrine was determined by the first 7 ecumenical Councils and it was then the Emperor’s duty to impose it on his subjects. Conversion of the Bulgarians, Serbs and Rus’ to Orthodox Christianity expanded the religious map of Europe.

The 8th and early 9th centuries saw a lot of controversies and there was religious division over iconoclasm.

Jews were a significant minority in the Byzantine state and as per Roman law, they were a legally recognised religious group.

Byzantine Empire: Science and Medicine

Scientific scholarship played a key role, transmitting classical knowledge to the Islamic world & Renaissance Italy and transmitting Islamic science to Renaissance Italy. In the Byzantine world, writings of classical antiquity were carefully cultivated and preserved. Ancient philosophy and metaphysics played a key role as well.

The Byzantines came up with hospitals as centres offering medical care and the possibility of curing patients. In the final century of the empire, astronomy and other mathematical sciences were taught. Classical learning and texts on botany, medicine and zoology were also significant.

Byzantine Empire: Legacy

Even after the Byzantine Empire declined, it left behind a great legacy. The Byzantine empire’s arts, literature, and law continues to influence Western culture even today. It had a major influence on the political, religious & cultural spheres in the Mediterranean World. The creation of a constructive Government structure in Byzantine influenced how the modern nation-state came up.

The Byzantine Empire influenced Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which is broadly practiced even today.

It still has a major influence in the Arts, Literature, & Architecture in many parts of the world. Due to the Byzantine Empire, knowledge and culture of ancient Greece and Rome persists even today.

The Byzantine Empire had a very strong trade network and a highly skilled workforce, thus promoting social stability and economic development. Byzantine army had efficient training which helped them secure their borders and protect themselves against enemies.

Byzantine Empire: Decline

Although Constantine ruled over a unified Roman Empire, this unity was shattered after his death in 337 AD. In 364 Emperor Valentinian I divided the empire into two with his brother Valens with him taking over the western half. The last emperor to rule over a united Roman Empire was Theodosius I from 392 to 395 AD.

In 1543, the Byzantine Empire was eventually overthrown by the Ottoman Empire. Constantinople’s fall marked the end of the Byzantine Empire. Emperor Constantine XI died in battle that day, and the Byzantine Empire collapsed, paving the way for the Ottoman Empire to succeed.

Conclusion

The Byzantine Empire was also known as the Eastern Roman Empire was the continuation of the Roman Empire, mostly in its eastern provinces. It existed from 330 AD to 1453 AD. Even after various feudal kingdoms declined, the Byzantine Empire survived owing to its strategic location.

The Byzantine Empire shaped European history and culture, majorly in the fields of art, architecture, literature, and philosophy. Its capital, Constantinopole, served as a key economic and political centre in Europe and globally. The Byzantine Empire declined in 1453 when an Ottoman army under Constantine XI’s rule, successfully invaded and captured Constantinople.

People Also Read:

• List of Top 10 Most Ancient Civilizations in the World

• Top 10 Biggest Empires in World History

• Ottoman Empire – Rise, Expansion, and Decline

FAQs on Byzantine Empire

What was the Byzantine Empire?

Byzantine Empire consisted of Rome’s Eastern provinces. Constantinople, its capital was located in Byzantine. It consisted of the areas surrounding the Mediterranean sea, including present day- Italy, Greece and Turkey along with portions of North Africa and the Middle East.

What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?

Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, founded in 330 AD by Constantine I. It is present- day Istanbul, located in Turkey. Constantinople served as Rome’s trading centre in Late Antiquity and Middle Ages.

Who was a famous Byzantines emperor?

The Byzantine Empire reached its zenith during Emperor Justinian I reign between the years 527 and 565. Several territories were acquired and the empire expanded throughout Rome and many parts of North Africa.

What languages were spoken in the Byzantine Empire?

In the Byzantine Empire, the Greek and Latin languages were primarily spoken.

How did the Byzantine Empire decline?

In 1453, the Byzantine Empire declined, mostly due to pressure created by the Ottoman Turks. The Ottomans finally defeated the Byzantine, leading to the rise of the Ottoman Empire and the fall of the Byzantine Empire.